Aging and cognitive function are likely to concern everyone. According to the Cleveland Clinic, as many as 8% of people experience mild cognitive impairment between the ages of 65 to 69, and that percentage only increases as we age. Keep reading to learn more about cognitive decline.
What Is Cognitive Decline, and How Does It Differ From Normal Aging?
Cognitive decline (also referred to as mild cognitive impairment or MCI) is when a person has a slight yet noticeable decline in mental ability that is worse than others in their age group. While aging and cognitive function decline correlate, it’s important to know that issues with recognition, intelligence, and long-term memory loss are not normal effects of aging.
What Is the Difference Between Cognitive Decline, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease?
The biggest difference between cognitive decline and dementia is that dementia is when your memory issues affect your daily life, and mild cognitive decline (MCI) does not. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, MCI can indicate an early stage of Alzheimer’s disease, but not always.
The Cleveland Clinic notes that while cognitive decline can be a sign of a neurodegenerative condition, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, there can be many less serious causes.
What Causes Cognitive Decline in Aging Adults?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, mild cognitive impairment can be caused by several things, including:
- Depression
- Severe stress
- Anxiety
- Issues with the thyroid, kidneys, or liver
- Nutritional deficiency (especially vitamin B-12)
- Sleep apnea
- Other sleep disorders
- Side effects of specific medications
- Abuse of alcohol or other substances
- An infection, even a mild infection, such as a UTI (urinary tract infection)
- Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease
- Lewy body dementia
- Vascular dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Issues with blood flow to the brain (injury, stroke, tumor, blood clot, etc.)
What Are the Early Signs of Cognitive Decline?
According to the Mayo Clinic, early warning symptoms of cognitive decline may include:
- Increased forgetfulness
- Forgetting appointments or social events
- Having trouble maintaining their reasoning process
- Difficulty following a plot while reading or watching a movie
- Difficulty remembering specific words
- Difficulty following directions or finishing a task
- Difficulty finding their way around places that should be familiar
- A decline in judgment
- Moodiness (anxiety, depression, or unusual upset)
- Less interest in things they were interested in
When Should Someone Seek Medical Advice for Cognitive Decline Symptoms?
Because cognitive decline can be an early sign of a neurodegenerative condition and any amount of mental impairment may be slowed/prevented with medical treatment, any changes with thinking clearly and/or forgetfulness should be addressed by your doctor ASAP.
How Is Cognitive Decline Diagnosed?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a diagnosis of cognitive decline is often done by evaluating several facets of the patient’s history, lifestyle, and test results, such as:
- Patient’s symptoms, medical history, and prescriptions
- Evaluating the biological family history
- A physical examination and a “mental status” examination
- If present, a physician may ask a family member or friend about any observations they may have made
- Laboratory testing to rule out serious conditions
Laboratory testing may include one or several of the following:
- Blood and urine tests
- Spinal tap
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Computed tomography scan (CT scan)
- Neuropsychological tests (verbal or written tests to assess mental abilities)
Who Is Most at Risk of Cognitive Decline?
According to the Mayo Clinic, risk factors for cognitive decline include:
- Age (the older you get, the more at risk you are)
- Carrying the APOE e4 gene (linked to Alzheimer’s disease)
- Having diabetes
- Smoking
- Having high blood pressure
- Having high cholesterol (particularly high LDL cholesterol)
- Obesity
- Depression
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Untreated hearing and vision loss
- Exposure to pollution
- A traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Having a low education level
- A lack of a social life
- A lack of mentally stimulating activities
What Are the Stages of Cognitive Decline, and How Do They Progress?
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the three stages of cognitive decline generally progress as follows:
- Mild (early-stage Alzheimer’s): In this stage, the majority of patients are still independent, and friends/family may not notice anything is off. However, the patient will begin to experience more frequent lapses in memory, such as forgetting common words, names, appointments, etc.
- Moderate (middle-stage Alzheimer’s): In this stage, the patient’s memory loss issues become more frequent to the point of dementia. They will likely require daily assistance to function normally. The patient may get emotional and frustrated easily.
- Severe (late-stage Alzheimer’s): In this stage, dementia is severe, and the patient will gradually become less and less able to hold conversations. Personality changes are more apparent, and extensive care is necessary.
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Can Cognitive Decline Be Prevented or Slowed?
According to the Mayo Clinic, while there is no way to prevent cognitive decline altogether, research indicates certain factors can reduce the risk.
The best strategies for preventing and/or slowing cognitive decline include maintaining your overall health and your brain health by:
- Avoiding large amounts of alcohol
- Ensure you’re breathing healthy air
- Always wear helmets when advised
- Quit smoking
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid getting or maintaining diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and depression
- Eat a nutritious diet containing many fruits and vegetables and limit saturated fats
- Be active most days of the week
- Get good quality sleep (take control of sleep conditions, if present)
- Maintain an active social life
- Get regular hearing and eye exams
- Keep your mind active
What Lifestyle Changes or Treatments Can Help Manage Cognitive Decline?
If you’re wondering how to slow cognitive decline in seniors, the best way is to remain healthy, happy, and mentally engaged. According to a 2023 article published by Harvard Health Publishing, the following lifestyle factors have been shown to assist in treating cognitive decline and preventing it in those who may be at risk:
- Regular exercise
- Following a Mediterranean diet
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Regular sleep
- Social activity
- Mental stimulation like reading, writing, crossword puzzles, mentally stimulating conversations, playing music, and playing games
How Can Family Members or Caregivers Support Individuals Who Are Experiencing Cognitive Decline?
According to the National Institute on Aging (NIH), the following tips may help you support a loved one dealing with cognitive decline:
- Help them seek a medically advised treatment plan
- Provide comfort and reassurance
- Incorporate assistance with daily activities such as to-do lists, reminders, alarms, etc.
- Encourage them to exercise, eat right, stay social, and stay mentally active
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Sources:
Caring for Older Patients With Cognitive Impairment. (2023).
Mild Cognitive Impairment. (2023).
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). (n.d.).
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). (2024).
Protecting against cognitive decline. (2023).
Stages of Alzheimer’s. (n.d.).