Normal Aging | Alzheimer’s Disease |
---|---|
Making a bad decision once in a while | Making poor judgments and decisions a lot of the time |
Missing a monthly payment | Problems taking care of monthly bills |
Forgetting which day it is and remembering it later | Losing track of the date or time of year |
Sometimes forgetting which word to use | Trouble having a conversation |
Losing things from time to time | Misplacing things often and being unable to find them |
Additionally, medical conditions, emotional problems, mild cognitive impairment, or another type of dementia can also be the cause of your memory problems.
Medical conditions that may cause memory problems include:
- Tumors, blood clots, or infections in the brain
- Some thyroid, kidney, or liver disorders
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Head injury, such as a concussion from a fall or accident
- Medication side effects
- Not eating enough healthy foods, or too few vitamins and minerals in a person’s body (like vitamin B12)
Even if you don’t have memory problems, it is still a good idea to get screened and there is no perfect time like the present.
“Just as we routinely get our blood pressure and cholesterol evaluated and undergo other health screenings, we need to regularly check our brain health too,” said Charles Fuschillo, Jr., president and CEO of the foundation. “Alzheimer’s Awareness Month [November] is a great time to be proactive about your brain health by getting a memory screening, regardless of whether you’re experiencing memory issues.”
Appointments for free online screenings can be made by calling the foundation at 866-232-8484 or on its website.