Alzheimer's

Does it help if you seek help early for a dementia condition?
Yes, medication can improve memory and these medication have the greatest effect in the early stages of the illness.

What are the best types of memory exercises?
There is no real scientific evidence to show that one form of activity may be better than another in order to exercise memory. The best type of memory stimulation is to always partake in an activity that is novel or new. Nothing beats socialisation, attending meetings, and participating in senior club activities. Avoid repetitive exercises that do not stimulate the formation of new connections in the brain. An example of such an activity is knitting the same pattern repeatedly.

What is the most common cause of loss of memory?
In the elderly it is Alzheimer's disease. Other causes in this age group include depression, anxiety, strokes, thyroid deficiency and vitamin deficiencies.

Do elderly patients seek help early if their memory starts to deteriorate?
Patients often don’t seek help early because motivation to seek help is usually also affected. Family and friends may often wait too long before seeking professional help for their loved ones.

Can I have my memory tested to make sure that it is normal?
Yes, a short memory test is available that can determine if your memory is still within normal limits. (See Memory tests.) More exhaustive testing is also available.

When is my memory impaired?

We all tend to forget important things from time to time and it may sometimes be difficult to work out when your memory is impaired. Your memory is impaired when you can’t function in normal everyday activities. When you consistently forget important information and are not able to function at work or at home.

Read about the difference between dementia and normal ageing.

Is poor memory in an elderly person normal?
Poor memory in older adults is not normal and cannot be assumed to be due to Alzheimer’s disease. It should always be investigated to determine the correct diagnosis and treatment.

Can I exercise my memory and thus avoid Alzheimer's disease altogether?

By exercising your memory, your brain benefits from stimulation and will form new connections. However, it is unlikely that you will be able to stop the onset of Alzheimer's disease if you are destined to have this illness. Mental exercises may only postpone the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Read more about memory techniques.

Does Alzheimer's only cause memory impairment or are other brain functions also involved?
Memory is but one aspect of brain functioning affected in Alzheimer's disease. Associated symptoms include: poor organisation and planning abilities, incomprehensible speech and difficulty finding words, poor concentration inability to identify objects, inability to perform a complex sequence of motor actions, changes in personality, and depression and anxiety.

Are there any vitamins and herbal supplements that an elderly person can take to improve memory?
Many products are being advertised for the improvement of memory. Vitamin E is the only vitamin that has been proven in scientific studies to make a difference. One particular study was done in advanced Alzheimer's disease and most scientists in Memory Clinics extrapolate from this that vitamin E could improve memory in other stages of the illness. Whether it does improve memory in persons not affected by dementia is controversial and not proven. However, for us it may be the closest thing to a memory vitamin.

What are the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease?
Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease include: age, specific gene types, family history, head injury, low education and high systolic blood pressure.

Can medication help for poor memory?
Yes, in many cases medication can make a difference. Medications are available to improve memory and delay disease progression. Medication can also treat associated behavioural changes.