HJNO Nov/Dec 2021

46 NOV / OCT 2021 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS COLUMN  SENIOR HEALTH It was shortly after my 50th birthday that I became hyperaware of my own for- getfulness. Whether I misplaced my keys or struggled to recall a name or password, evidence of my faulty memory become increasingly worrisome to me. I ques- tioned whether these momentary memory lapses were normal or if I was beginning to “slip,” experiencing the first signs of de- mentia. As it turns out, I am not alone in my lamenting. Many older adults worry about where to draw the line between nor- mal, age-related memory loss and some- thing more serious. According to Harvard Health, more than half of adults 60 years and older have growing concerns about their memory. And this worry may be un- derstandable given over 6 million adults in the United States live with Alzheimer’s dis- ease according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). So, what is the best way for providers to guide seniors through their apprehension around this issue? SILENCE THE ALARM The undeniable truth is that our brains change as we age, and as a result, slower processing speeds and delayed recall may occur. As we get older, the brain undergoes age-related neurochemical and structural changes. Brain shrinkage affecting the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus and changes in the white matter of the brain may occur. But these scientific facts are not what keep older adults up at night. The real concern is related to howmemory dis- turbances might affect their life now and in the future. The older we get, the more disturbing and alarming this becomes, so providers should start by silencing the alarmwith one simple message: occasional forgetfulness is quite normal among all ages and is, indeed, a part of normal ag- ing. It is only when memory loss is disrup- tive to daily living or is encroaching upon a person’s ability to function properly and effectively that it should become a concern. If a disturbance in regular daily life is noted, seniors (or their families), should consult a physician. Jennifer Credeur, LCSW, Director of Social Services at Lam- AM I SLIPPING? Normal Aging or Dementia?