In this post, we’ll look at some of the difficulties that come with managing cognitive impairment in the elderly.
We’ve all been there: you lose your keys or can’t remember where you left them. As they say, we all have a senior moment at some time.
However, for some individuals as they become older, repeated memory lapses may be a warning that something needs to be done. When questioned, some elders are quite good at covering their tracks by saying things like “you know what I mean” or “of course, I took my medication.”
If you question them and they feel that you don’t trust them, they may become hostile or argumentative as a result of your questioning. It is difficult for both sides. So, what are some of the warning signals to keep an eye out for?
The following are some of the common signs of memory loss or cognitive impairment in individuals:
- Confusion in instances when they had previously functioned normally, such as remembering appointments or social engagements.
- Becoming overwhelmed with a seemingly little decision, such as what to eat for lunch
- Difficulty following a discussion’s flow or beginning a conversation with others, which can lead to social isolation.
- Finding their way around familiar areas, such as their neighborhood, is proving to be difficult.
- Expressing frustration with their inability to manage tasks that they used to be able to do without assistance, such as meal preparation or bill payment.
As a family member, it might be tough to understand that someone you’ve always trusted and regarded as trustworthy is suffering from cognitive impairment.
The first step should be to seek assistance for your loved one through a physician’s evaluation.
A series of thinking, memory, and language tests can be used to provide a general diagnosis for memory loss. While not all instances progress to more serious conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s, there is a higher risk.
At IKOR, we assist families in addressing and planning for these sorts of scenarios. It is critical to intervene early in order to maintain your loved one’s quality of life and dignity.
We work with families and their loved ones to assist them in identifying and planning for changes in their health, living arrangements, and financial constraints as they age. We can help you plan for or address concerns that will help you avoid the grief of an unforeseen crisis, which may compel you to make unfavorable decisions and incur more costs, as well as the risk of your loved one’s dignity and quality of life declining further.
It’s sometimes only a hearing aid. Other times, a doctor may prescribe medication to aid their cognitive performance. Please call us toll free at 855-456-7972 or visit our website at www.ikorofwpa.com to learn more about how IKOR may help you or your family members cope with cognitive decline.