“Cognitive Decline” Is Different From Dementia

What was that person’s name? What was the reason I walked into this room? I know the word I want to say, but I just can’t get it out!

Fill in the blank for the story you have heard over and over without the storyteller knowing they are repeating it. These are some common signs of cognitive decline, characterized by a decrease in memory and thinking skills.

“Forgetting the name of a familiar person or place, or repeating questions and stories can happen more frequently as we get older,” said Amy LeRoy, PhD, with Samaritan Neuropsychology – Albany. “It does not necessarily mean a person is showing early signs of a cognitive disorder, such as dementia.”

Some degree of cognitive decline is common with aging and it occurs most often in older adulthood. However, family history, lower education level, brain injuries, exposure to toxins, physical and social inactivity and chronic health conditions including Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, stroke and diabetes are risk factors for developing cognitive decline beyond what is normal for typical aging, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Sometimes, cognitive decline is the result of a treatable health condition like anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions, a sleep disorder, hearing loss or the after-effects of COVID. In these instances, memory and thinking can get better over time or with treatment.

Different Than Dementia

Experiencing normal, age-related cognitive decline is not the same as having dementia. Dementia is progressive, which means it tends to get worse over time.

“The main difference is dementia significantly interferes with people’s ability to function in their daily life,” Dr. LeRoy said.

People with mild cognitive decline maintain social and occupational skills. With dementia, people’s functional abilities have become compromised , such as their ability to maintain their finances, medications and/or meal preparation independently.

Activities to Keep Your Brain Active

There are many activities people can enjoy to stay cognitively active that stimulate the mind.

They include doing arts and crafts, reading, crossword puzzles, dancing, playing cards and participating in group discussions and social events. These activities are not only proven effective, but many are free or inexpensive to do.

“Art has even been shown to offer some reduction in the risk for dementia,” Dr. LeRoy said.

Beware of brain training websites that charge fees and claim cognitive benefits that are not supported by research. While they may improve skills for practiced tasks, they have not been shown to improve a person’s performance on a memory test.

Here are other ways to reduce cognitive decline:

Staying physically active.
Eating a heart-healthy diet.
Engaging in regular social activity.
Obtaining an adequate amount of restorative sleep.
Refraining from smoking.
Reducing alcohol consumption.
Managing mental health conditions and stress.
Addressing health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Read more about brain health and memory loss.

Yes, This Happens to Everyone

Have you ever stood in your kitchen pantry or in front of an open refrigerator trying to remember what you were going to get? You’re not alone. In fact, it’s such a common human experience it is widely studied and referred to as the “doorway effect.”

Researchers theorize as we move from one location to another, short term memory can lapse as we cross over a boundary like entering a room. As your brain takes in the changing scenery it can distract from your original task. This occasional short-circuiting of memory is a normal part of brain function. It is believed this is one strategy the brain uses to absorb the many things it sees while simultaneously executing activities.

Is There a Way to Avert the Doorway Effect?

Take something with you that will remind you of your task. Need a hammer? Take a nail with you. Or try saying aloud what you are going to do before you do it. You can think it or say it, but stating your intention aloud may have more sticking power.