We’ve all been there: you misplace your keys or you keep forgetting where you left them. As they say, we all have a senior moment at some point.
However, for some individuals as they age, repeated memory lapses may be a warning indication that something is wrong. When challenged, some elders are quite good at covering their tracks with generic replies to inquiries like “you know what I mean,” “of course, I took my prescription,” and so on.
If you challenge them and they feel you don’t trust them, they may become aggressive or argumentative. It’s difficult for both sides. So, what are some of the warning signs?
Some of the common signs of memory loss or cognitive impairment in adults are as follows:
- Confusion in instances when they had previously functioned normally, such as remembering appointments or social events.
- Being overwhelmed by what used to be a little decision, such as what to order for dinner.
- Difficulty following the course of a discussion or initiating a conversation with others, which may result in social isolation.
- They have difficulty navigating familiar surroundings such as their neighborhood.
- Expressing frustration with their inability to accomplish things such as meal preparation or bill payment that they used to do quite effortlessly without assistance.
It’s tough to face the reality that a loved one you’ve always relied on could be experiencing cognitive decline.
The best course of action would be to seek medical attention for your loved one and have them evaluated.
A series of thinking, memory, and language tests is used to provide a general diagnosis for memory function loss. While not all instances progress to more serious conditions, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s, there is a higher risk.
At IKOR, we assist families in addressing and planning for these specific situations. 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 detecting and planning for changes in their health, living circumstances, and financial limitations as they age. We can help you plan for or address problems that will help you prevent the grief of an unexpected crisis, which imposes unfavorable decisions and increased costs, as well as the possibility of further decrease in your loved one’s dignity and quality of life.
Sometimes all it takes is a hearing aid. Other times, a doctor might prescribe medicine to improve their cognitive performance. If you’d like to learn more about how IKOR may help you or your family members deal with cognitive decline, please call us at 855-456-7972 or visit our website at www.ikorofwpa.com.