Most people involved in the care of seniors in Orem, Utah report that elderly people are mostly victims of memory loss in some form or the other. According to Aspen Senior Care, these types are as follow:
• Mild Forgetfulness: Most elderly people complain of partial loss of memory as they age. They take more time to recall information or facts or identify familiar objects. These may be called mild forgetfulness signs and not a serious neurological problem. Proper medication and suitable activities that sharpen memory, such as new hobbies, eating a nutritious diet, visiting friends or regular exercising may help address the problem.
• Serious Memory Issues: Those who suffer from serious memory issues are unable to carry out normal activities such as shopping, driving, handling money or even eating. They tend to repeat things continuously, get lost in familiar surroundings, fail to follow instructions and directions, experience time and space disorientation, and fail to eat properly or even bathe and do other hygienic activities. These conditions are due to certain medications, dehydration, depression, poor diet, head injuries, and even thyroid problems.
• Emotional problems like sadness, acute anxiety, loneliness or boredom may cause forgetfulness and confusion. To counter this, an active lifestyle, visiting loved ones and friends, learning a new skill is advised, but consulting a physician or counsellor may also be required.
• Alzheimer’s disease: This is a serious disease which causes acute memory problems. Its symptoms get progressively worse as physiological changes take place in the brain. It usually appears as mild loss of memory at first but gradually affects all normal activities like driving, shopping, cooking, and conversing. The senior care program in Orem has a considerable number of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease who need 24-hour care. This is treated by medication that delays memory loss but it does reach a point of no return after a while.
• Multi-infarct dementia is another form of memory loss caused by tiny cerebral strokes or periodic decreased flow of blood to the brain. The prevention of additional strokes through constant monitoring and medication improve the memory. Maintaining normal blood pressure is essential to prevent further strokes.
