What You Need to Know About Memory as We Age!

“Most mental processes become less nimble

with time. Just as your 75-year-old self can’t run

as fast as your 30-year old self,

your 75-year-old brain will, for the most part,

not think as quickly either.”

 

~ Dr. Leslie Kernisan, MD & Board-Certified Geriatrician*

Most people think of memory when they think of cognition or  “brain function.”

What You Need to Know About Memory as We Age!

Cognitive Aging is a natural process, not a disease and

“… is different from something more concerning, such as mild cognitive impairment, early Alzheimer’s disease,  or other memory-related conditions they may have heard about.”

 

 

“As we age, our mental processes may slow down and gradually work less

efficiently.  Cognitive Aging happens a little differently for every person

due to things like genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors.”

 

(*All information in this newsletter has been written and shared by Dr. Leslie Kernisan, M.D.

in her Blog on: Better Health While Aging)

What You Need to Know About Memory as We Age!

Let’s Review 5 Important Areas You Need to Know About Memory as We Age!

 

1- Ways That Memory And Thinking Change With Age

2- Practical Tips for Managing Cognitive Aging

3- How to Differentiate Cognitive Aging from Other Issues

4- Warning Signs Beyond Normal Cognitive Aging

5- Assessing Cognitive Impairment

What You Need to Know About Memory as We Age!

1-    6 Ways That Memory And Thinking Change With Aging*

Cognitive Aging is the brain’s version of your body parts working less efficiently due to age, rather than due to disease or serious damage.

Cognitive Aging is different from a disease or more concerning changes in cognitive function!

• • Processing Speed: How quickly the brain can process information and then provide a response slows with age which can affect tasks like driving or complex problem-solving. This decrease starts in early adulthood, so by the time people are in their 70s or 80s, processing speed is significantly down compared to the speed one had in one’s 20s.

• • Memory: Different types of memory change in different ways. For instance, episodic and working memory tend to decline, while procedural memory (like skills) remains more stable. Learning and memorization can take longer.

Not All Aspects of Memory Decline With Age –

Types of memory that decline:

–  Working memory

–  Episodic memory, especially for more recent events

–  Prospective memory

Types of memory that stay stable:

–  Procedural memory

–  Semantic long-term memory which may decline after the seventh decade

(*Declines in each of these types of memory have different implications.

 For more details on this, click HERE.)

 

• • Attention: Older adults may find it harder to concentrate or focus in noisy or distracting environments, and multi-tasking can become more challenging. This lack of focus means related information is sometimes not processed, especially if there are hearing difficulties.

• • Language Skills: Vocabulary and comprehension of written language remain stable, but retrieving words can take longer, and understanding rapid speech might be more difficult.

• • Executive Functioning: The ability to plan, organize, and solve problems may decline after age 70, especially for tasks requiring abstract thinking, adapting to new situations or making complex decisions.

• • Emotional Processing: Older adults often develop a positivity bias, becoming more focused on positive experiences and more emotionally resilient. Older adults may seem to avoid or deny certain issues that they find unpleasant or negative.

 

2-    Practical Tips for Managing Cognitive Aging

• • Give More Time: Allow more time for older adults to process information and make decisions.

• • Reduce Distractions: Minimize background noise and other distractions during important conversations or decision-making.

• • Encourage Mental Stimulation: Engage in activities that challenge the brain, like puzzles or learning new skills.

• • Use Memory Aids: Writing things down can help reduce reliance on working memory.

• • Simplify Finances: Streamline financial tasks to reduce the risk of mistakes or exploitation.

• • Plan Ahead: Address complex mental tasks like estate planning earlier rather than later, when cognitive functions are sharper.

 

3-    How to Differentiate Cognitive Aging from Other Issues

Crystallized Intelligence vs Fluid Intelligence is something experts discuss in regard to Normal Cognitive changes as we age.

Normal Cognitive Aging:

• • • May involve slower processing speeds and challenges with new tasks but does not typically include severe or sudden changes in personality or behavior.
    • Includes a gradual decline in Fluid Intelligence and maintains or improves Crystallized Intelligence.

–   Fluid intelligence refers to abilities related to processing power, taking in new information, problem-solving with new or less familiar information, and reacting quickly. It is at its peak in younger adults and declines over time.

–   Crystallized Intelligence refers to everything one has learned over time: skills, abilities, knowledge. It gets better or stays stable as people get older, because it is a function of experience, practice, and familiarity. Many people refer to this as “wisdom.”

 

4-  Warning Signs Beyond Normal Cognitive Aging

• •  Delusions, Hallucinations, Paranoia: These are not typical of Normal Aging and may suggest underlying conditions such as dementia or mental health disorders.

• • Significant Personality Changes: Drastic changes in behavior, emotional stability, or personal interests can indicate more serious cognitive or psychological issues.

• • Depression: While mood changes can be a part of aging, persistent or severe depression warrants further investigation.

• • Loss of Interest: A noticeable decline in engagement with “favorite” activities can signal potential cognitive decline or other health issues.

What You Need to Know About Memory as We Age!

5-    Assessing Cognitive Impairment

• • Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): A cognitive decline greater than expected for one’s age but not severe enough to interfere significantly with daily life. Assessments often involve cognitive testing compared to age and education norms.

• • Primary Care Evaluation: If MCI or other cognitive issues are suspected, a detailed evaluation by a healthcare provider is essential. It may include cognitive assessments, medical history review, and possibly neuroimaging to rule out other conditions.

 

“ …most parts of the body work less well as one

gets older and older. This is even true of the brain,

which is part of why it becomes more

common to experience a “tip of the tongue” moment

as one gets older.

Such age-related changes in how the brain manages

memory, thinking, and other mental processes

are called ‘Cognitive Aging’.”

~ Dr. Kernisan

More Essential Information & Links For You & Your Family:

What You Need to Know About Memory as We Age!

• More Detailed Guidance And Resources, Visit Dr Kernisan’s website, Better Health While Aging

 

• Cognitive Aging Action Guide, National Academy of Medicine. Click Here.

 

• If you’re concerned that certain symptoms might be early Alzheimer’s, Dr Kernisan

recommends the Alzheimer’s Association’s handy list of  “10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s.”

 

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* The information in this Blog is for educational purposes and cannot replace a recommendation from your healthcare professional. *

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