The Cognitive Changes in Older Ones You Should Watch For

Lack of awareness of date and time 

Forgetting the date occasionally isn’t cause for concern. But if you feel your older loved one seems to be confused about the time of year, the season, or has trouble telling time, it can be a sign of bigger issues. 

In more advanced cases, a person with dementia may rely on older memories in order to make sense of things now. For example, saying they need to pick up the children from school, or get back to a job that ended long ago. They might not recognize newer technology. They may even fail to recognize their image in the mirror, believing they are much younger. 

Personality changes 

If Mom or Dad seem to be more anxious or depressed, it could be a sign that something is physically wrong. They might become upset quickly, or show some paranoia when asked questions. They may begin to hide possessions, imagine that someone is taking things from them, or become combative. These are examples of cognitive changes in older adults that could warrant further investigation. 

Problems operating appliances 

The kitchen can become a hazardous setting for a person struggling with memory issues. If you find signs of burned food, or stoves or ovens left on well past when the food was prepared, it can signal that cooking is no longer a safe activity for your loved one. 

In addition, if it seems they are avoiding cooking altogether and instead, are only eating one item, such as cereal or a sandwich, this also can be one of the cognitive changes in older adults that becomes a red flag.   

Unable to manage finances 

According to the National Institute on Aging, people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias may start having trouble managing their finances years before their diagnosis. Early signs of these cognitive changes in older adults can include stacks of unpaid bills or overdue bills. Missed credit card payments or only paying the minimum amount due. Failure to pay rent, utilities or insurance bills. 

Getting lost going to familiar places 

It’s quite common to be unsure when driving or walking to a new location, especially with all the electronic gadgets that want to give us directions these days. And there are times when a person can get absorbed in their thoughts and temporarily lose their bearings. 

But if you see that your loved one is starting to forget where they are, as well as how to get to a familiar destination, it can be a sign of early dementia. So is being unable to read a map or follow verbal instructions.   

As with any change in health or function, visiting a physician for a thorough examination is a vital first step when dealing with cognitive changes in older adults. 

It’s possible that the best solution for the health, safety and comfort of your loved one is a setting where they will receive professional attention around the clock and benefit from an atmosphere of wellness. Residential senior living can be an exceptional choice, such as that offered by Assured Senior Living. 

In our assisted living memory care residential community, your loved one can benefit from a community designed with the elements that can help slow cognitive changes in older adults. Here, they can have an empowered life, engaging in meaningful tasks and activities that feel familiar and feel like home. They can engage in healthy socialization and benefit from connecting with others. In addition, our exceptional care team guides and navigates each person in a lifestyle that extends beyond the walls and embraces the neighborhood community. 

The closest thing to home, with cutting-edge senior care—at Assured Senior Living, we know that dementia isn’t the end, it’s just another chapter in life’s rich, beautiful story.   

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