Our brains are remarkably complex, and like the rest of our bodies, they undergo changes over time. While many people notice some shifts in thinking skills with age, growing older does not necessarily mean experiencing serious declines in memory or thinking abilities. Research has shown what we can do to help reduce dementia risk.
Cognitive decline, encompassing a range of conditions affecting thinking and memory, is a growing concern globally. While it can affect anyone, it becomes more common as we age, particularly over 65. Women tend to have a slightly higher risk of developing dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease. This may be due to factors such as longer lifespans and hormonal changes.
Understanding the Terms: A Continuum of Cognitive Decline: It's helpful to think of cognitive decline as a continuum, with each stage having unique characteristics:
Subjective Cognitive (Memory) Decline (SCD): This is when a person notices a change in their memory function, but these changes are not picked up in standard cognitive testing. SCD is often an early warning sign that should not be ignored, and further assessment could be beneficial.
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): In MCI, cognitive changes are noticeable to the person and can also be detected through standardized cognitive tests. These changes can include problems with memory, language, attention, or reasoning, but they do not significantly interfere with daily life and activities.
Dementia: It is a more severe form of cognitive decline in which a person experiences major impairments in one or more cognitive areas (memory, language, executive functioning, and visuospatial abilities). These impairments interfere significantly with daily life and independent function. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia.
