As you age, you may start noticing memory loss such as you can’t recall people’s names as quickly or you misplace your keys a little more often.
“These memory slips usually aren’t cause for concern, but talk to your doctor when memory problems interfere with daily life,” said Dr. Sarah Kortenkamp, a Marshfield Clinic neuropsychologist. “Even if your memory problems are caused by normal aging, your primary care doctor will be able to take steps to determine your baseline so it’s easier to detect if things get worse.”
Common memory loss vs. Alzheimer’s symptoms of concern
As people age, they may become less physically and mentally agile, but it doesn’t always mean it’s Alzheimer’s disease.
Doctors should ask about cognitive changes during Medicare wellness visits. Typically, this includes a mini mental status test, like asking a patient to name as many objects as they can think of.
“We often use the AD8 to screen patients,” said Dr. Jason Kanz, a Marshfield Clinic neuropsychologist. “If there is a change in two or more of these items, it may be associated with clinically significant impairment.”
Ascertain Dementia 8-item Informant Questionnaire
The AD8, The Ascertain Dementia 8-item Informant Questionnaire, asks a patient or loved to answer questions to evaluate whether a person has:
- Problems with judgment (e.g., problems making decisions, bad financial decisions, problems with thinking)
- Less interest in hobbies/activities
- Repeats the same things over and over (questions, stories or statements)
- Trouble learning how to use a tool, appliance or gadget (e.g., VCR, computer, microwave, remote control
- Forgets correct month or year
- Trouble handling complicated financial affairs (e.g., balancing checkbook, income taxes, paying bills)
- Trouble remembering appointments
- Daily problems with thinking and/or memory
Doctors begin asking these questions around ages 60 to 65. In this age range, 1-2 percent of people show symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. By age 85, this increases to 40-50 percent. Some early memory loss develops into dementia, while other symptoms do not.
“Just pay attention to your memory,” he said. “As we age, our brains become less efficient. That’s normal. But you should identify significant changes as soon as possible and share with a doctor.”
| Normal cognitive difficulties | Symptoms of concern |
| Able to function independently and pursue normal activities, despite occasional memory lapses. | Difficulty performing simple tasks like paying bills, dressing appropriately. Forgetting how to do things you’ve done many times. |
| Pausing to remember directions, but not getting lost in familiar places. | Gets lost or disoriented in familiar places. |
| Occasional difficulty finding the right word, but no trouble holding a conversation. | Words are frequently forgotten, misused or garbled. Repeats phrases and stories in the same conversation. |
| Sometimes forgetting where you left things you use regularly, such as glasses or cell phone. | Misplacing items in inappropriate places, such as putting a wallet in a kitchen drawer. |
| Forgetting where you put your keys. | Forgetting what your keys are for. |
| Forgetting parts of an experience. | Forgetting an entire experience. |
| Forgetting where you park the car. | Forgetting how to drive a car. |
| Forgetting names of acquaintances or blocking one memory with a similar one (for example, calling a grandson by your son’s name). | Forgetting ever having known a person. |
| Becoming easily distracted or having trouble remembering what you’ve just read, or the details of a conversation. | Loss of function, confusion or decreasing alertness. |
Your overall health can impact your brain and memory
Your brain health is important, and there are ways you can support it as you age.
1Regular exercise
“Generally, research shows an effective way of maintaining peak brain function is through regular physical activity,” Kanz said.
A sharp brain depends on operation of blood vessels. Exercise boosts blood flow through the body and the brain, which is essential for brain cells to operate effectively.
“Incorporating exercise at least four times a week is going to reduce your risk of cognitive decline,” Kanz said. “And it’s OK to split it up throughout the day, such as 15 minutes in the morning, afternoon and evening.”
Cognitive activity
“Brain training” programs and apps have gained popularity in recent years, claiming to delay age-related memory loss and prevent against diseases like Alzheimer’s.
In January 2016, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stated programs like Lumosity deceive customers, and there is not enough research to support these applications benefit memory.
“Though there’s not enough research to prove such apps and games improve memory, there is evidence to suggest cognitive activity can be beneficial. Doing something out of the ordinary, getting your brain to think differently, can help keep your mind sharp.”
Play board games, learn a musical instrument or take up a new hobby. These activities help you stay engaged, learn new things and challenge yourself. These healthy habits add up to neuroplasticity, or your brain’s ability to function and adapt to change.
Social interaction benefits the brain. Older adults who maintain social connections tend to do better on memory tests, Kanz said.
Balanced nutrition
A well-balanced diet can keep the mind and body healthy. The MIND diet has been gaining momentum for its ability to help boost brainpower and protect the brain from age-related problems like Alzheimer’s disease. The MIND diet focuses on minimally processed and plant-based foods. It limits animal-based foods that are high in saturated fats and foods with added sugars. A prominent component of the diet is leafy green vegetables.
Medications and treatments
There is no research that shows over-the-counter medications can boost memory or slow down memory loss. Some of them contain chemicals important for memory, but those chemicals fail to reach the brain when taken orally. Vitamin D can affect memory, but it will only benefit someone who is vitamin D-deficient.
There are several memory stabilizing medications and antibody therapy infusion treatments that can slow memory decline in people with early to mid-stage dementia. They do not improve memory but can slow down the course of disease.
Learn more brain health tips in this video:
For questions about brain health, talk to a Marshfield Clinic Health System provider.
Schedule appointment Message your provider
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