Early Signs of Cognitive Decline in the Elderly

As a person ages, there is greater risk of dementia and other memory disorders. Memory disorders often occur gradually, but there are early signs. Geo Psychological Testing explains the early signs of cognitive decline in the elderly:

 

Forgetting things

People experiencing cognitive decline will become forgetful over time. They may forget or overlook pre-scheduled appointments, misplace common items, or simply not recall ever doing something. Memory loss is one of the first and most common symptoms seen in cognitive decline, specifically for those later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.

 

Losing train of thought

People experiencing cognitive decline may notice they lose their train of thought easily — one moment they’re having a conversation, and the next, they can’t recall what they were about to say. Additionally, some older people with cognitive decline may have a hard time following the plot of a book or movie.

 

Getting lost in familiar places

As an older person’s memory begins to fade, they may have trouble finding their way around once familiar places. This can affect their daily lives. For instance, it may become more difficult to navigate their favorite grocery store or drive their daily commute. 

 

Poor judgment

Cognitive decline, specifically early onset Dementia, affects the area of the brain that controls impulse. Therefore, people with cognitive decline may display impulsive behavior or poor judgment. This could lead them to doing things they may have previously never done without thought or consideration.  

 

The licensed clinical psychologists at Geo Psychological Testing specialize in psychological evaluations for all age groups — including the geriatric population. Concerned someone in your life may be experiencing cognitive decline? Contact us today!

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