13% of Seniors Feel More Confused, Forgetful

About 13% of Americans age 60 and older say they are confused more often and having more problems with thinking and memory, a survey finds. One-third of this group said their confusion or memory issues have caused problems for them. They may have had problems with their social life, work, chores or other activities. Only one-third had talked to their doctors about these problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did the survey in 2011. It was the first survey of its type among older U.S. adults. Nearly 60,000 people in 21 states answered the questions. The results show that it's important to look for early signs of dementia, experts told HealthDay News. Signs may include asking the same questions over and over, getting lost in familiar places or not being able to follow directions. People also may become more confused about time, people and places. These are signs of more than normal forgetfulness, an author of the study told HealthDay. The journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published the study May 9.

By Howard LeWine, M.D.
Harvard Medical School

What Is the Doctor's Reaction?

As we get older, most of us will have some problems with short-term memory and processing new information. We may have difficulty remembering things (like names) or forget where we put things (like keys). All of this is so typical that it's considered a normal part of aging.

But experts remain challenged in defining when difficulties with the brain's ability to process and remember information are more than signs of normal aging. Sometimes they are the first sign of something else.

Some people go through a middle ground that's more persistent than occasional age-related lapses in thinking or memory. But their problems are not severe enough to meet criteria for Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. This middle ground is called mild cognitive impairment.

We don't even know how common it is for older adults to think they might have a memory or thinking problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) decided to find out. It sponsored a telephone survey of people age 60 and older.

The first question was: "During the past 12 months, have you experienced confusion or memory loss that is happening more often or is getting worse?" Anyone who answered yes received two follow-up questions. They were designed to find out if the confusion or memory loss affected how people functioned.

About 13% of those surveyed said they were having more problems with thinking or memory in the last year. And 35% of them thought it affected their everyday lives. Some said that thinking or memory problems interfered with their work, hobbies or social activities. Some said they were not able to do things they previously enjoyed or household chores.

This study is only a starting point. The researchers admit that we need to interpret the survey information with caution.

Self-reporting can be unreliable. People with mild cognitive impairment are usually aware of their memory problems. And worriers may fret that they are impaired when their forgetfulness is completely normal. But others with true problems may not answer the questions correctly or may bluff their way through them.

What Changes Can I Make Now?

Here are the ways to help keep your brain healthy:

• Don't smoke or use other tobacco products.
• Exercise regularly. Make it your goal to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
• Use alcohol in moderation. That means no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two per day for men.
• Maintain a healthy body weight. In particular, try not to let your waist expand. People with more fat in the middle have a higher risk of developing dementia, even if their body weight is normal.
• Eat a Mediterranean-style diet. Increase the amounts of fish, vegetables, legumes, olive oil and whole grains you eat. Avoid foods containing saturated fats.
• Keep your blood pressure in the normal range. To do this, get regular exercise, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and cut down on salt. Your doctor can prescribe medicines if needed.
• Stay socially engaged with family and friends.

What Can I Expect Looking to the Future?

Scientists have made some progress in identifying specific signs in the blood or brain that indicate something more than age-related memory loss. At best, though, such tests might only say that you have an increased risk of developing dementia. Other than lifestyle changes, there are no specific ways to prevent dementia.

Until we have more reliable tests and preventive treatments, all of us should adopt the healthy behaviors listed above.