What is cognitive impairment in older adults/elderly?
As we age, our bodies change. We experience physical weakness and fragility, making us susceptible to illnesses that can hinder our functioning. Our brains also suffer. As we grow older, our cognitive abilities can decline, initially manifesting as minor impediments but potentially leading to more severe impairments.
- Becoming more forgetful by the day (e.g., we take longer to remember a person's name, we forget to do something important or simple chores, we forget how to do certain things, we forget plans),
- We start to lose our train of thought, especially during conversations,
- We stop understanding whatever it is we're reading, watching, or playing and need to refresh a bit,
- We get lost or feel lost in places supposedly familiar to us,
- We become moody and impulsive,
- At worst, we forget ourselves, and we become unresponsive to most things.
Several things could cause cognitive impairment, depression, or decline in old age, like depression, delirium, medication, and neurological problems such as Alzheimer's Disease and dementia.
People will experience cognitive decline or memory impairment differently. Some will have mild or moderate decline/impairment, and their symptoms can be managed enough to the point that it's possible for them to have functional independence or have minimal assistance from others with daily living. Some have severe cognitive decline/impairment, and these people require the most assistance with almost everything.
Printable Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ)
Download this Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) to assess the cognitive function of elderly patients.
