A physical exam, blood tests, and brain scans like a CT or MRI can help determine an underlying cause. Head injuries can increase the risk of dementia, especially if they are severe or occur repeatedly.Ī healthcare provider can perform tests on attention, memory, problem solving and other cognitive abilities to see if there is cause for concern. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking increase the risk of dementia if not treated properly. Hispanics 1.5 times more likely to have dementia than whites. Older African Americans are twice more likely to have dementia than whites. Those who have parents or siblings with dementia are more likely to develop dementia themselves. The strongest known risk factor for dementia is increasing age, with most cases affecting those of 65 years and older Not being able to complete tasks independently.Forgetting the name of a close family member or friend.Using unusual words to refer to familiar objects.Getting lost in a familiar neighborhood.Signs that may point to dementia include: Visual perception beyond typical age-related changes in vision.Reasoning, judgment, and problem solving.What are the signs and symptoms of dementia?īecause dementia is a general term, its symptoms can vary widely from person to person.
Normally, knowledge and experiences built over years, old memories, and language would stay intact.
Struggling to find a word but remembering it later.
Normal aging may include weakening muscles and bones, stiffening of arteries and vessels, and some age-related memory changes that may show as: No, many older adults live their entire lives without developing dementia. Of those at least 65 years of age, there is an estimated 5.0 million adults with dementia in 2014 and projected to be nearly 14 million by 2060.