Memory Loss: Common Causes in Elderly Adults

As your loved ones age, you may begin to notice their memory isn't what it used to be. Have they been forgetting to pay their bills? Do they lose track of the day or even what month it is? Sometimes, they may misplace things and be unable to find them. These could all be signs of memory loss.

Memory loss can have a range of causes. Regardless of age, we have all likely been forgetful at times. Therefore, it's important not to worry that your loved one's poor memory may be a sign of Alzheimer's or dementia. In this article, we will look at the common causes of memory loss in the elderly.

Normal Memory Loss

No one's memory is perfect. Everyone forgets things now and then, whether it be an appointment or where we put our keys. Research suggests that people's memories are getting worse as we become more reliant on modern technology. Instead of committing things to memory, we trust our phones to remind us. And the amount of information we can access also makes it harder to lock it in.

But even without technology, we can only remember so much. If you try to recall a conversation with someone immediately afterwards, you will likely remember more details than if you try to remember it hours later. This is because our brains prioritise information.

However, it doesn't also prioritise what we might consider most important. For example, when we put down our keys, we might be talking to someone – the brain has to decide whether the location of the keys is more important than the content of the conversation.

As a result, there is no reason to be concerned by occasional memory loss. However, as your loved ones age, this forgetfulness may become more frequent. Eventually, it may begin to interfere with their day-to-day life, at which point it may be time to get their memory assessed.

Common Causes of Elderly Memory Loss

When people think of memory loss in the elderly, their first thought will likely be Alzheimer's or dementia. However, not all memory loss is due to a degenerative neurological condition. These are some of the most common causes of memory loss in elderly people.

With age comes wisdom, but unfortunately it can also reduce the efficiency of our brains. Not everyone will experience age-related memory loss, but it is thought to affect around 40% of people aged 65 or over.

This is considered a normal part of ageing. Your loved one's brain chemistry will change as they get older, affecting how it retains information and makes it available. For example, your loved one may struggle to recall events from their day but vividly remember something they did years ago.

Age-related memory loss is usually nothing to worry about. Though your loved one may forget things sometimes, usually they will remember them later on. It is only a concern if their forgetfulness is regularly disrupting their daily life and they are unable to learn or remember new things.

Certain Medications

Many of our loved ones rely on medication to treat other health conditions. In fact, more than one in ten people aged 65 or over take at least eight different prescribed medications. However, many medications come with side-effects, and for some this includes memory loss.

This side effect is most common in medication that causes drowsiness, as well as in some antidepressants. Whilst this memory loss is not usually severe, it can make your loved ones appear frequently forgetful. This could be a cause for concern if they are forgetting to take their medication or that they have already taken it – they may end up taking more than they should.

Whilst medication dispensers can help with this, it's also worth discussing the side effects with your loved one's doctor. They may be able to prescribe an alternative medicine that will be less likely to cause memory loss.

Depression

Poor mental health can also contribute to memory loss in elderly adults. Research has found that people with depression are more likely to experience forgetfulness. This is because conditions like depression affect your loved one's brain chemistry.

Depression causes feelings of sadness and despair. Experiencing these feelings can make it harder to focus on things, resulting in poorer short-term memory. However, people with depression may find that whilst positive memories are fleeting, more negative ones – whether recent or long ago – are uncomfortably vivid.

Fortunately, depression can be treated, and doing so can help relieve depression. Regular exercise can also make a difference. If these do not work, doctors can prescribe antidepressants, though some of these can make memory loss worse.

Alcohol Abuse

In our society, most people enjoy the occasional alcoholic drink. In fact, in a 2019 survey, 48% of adults in England said they drink alcohol at least once every week. Whilst this isn't a bad thing, it is important to be mindful of alcohol consumption.

Alcohol affects the brain. Anyone who has had a few drinks knows how it dulls the senses and alters inhibitions. However, frequent alcohol use can cause damage to your brain cells. Sometimes this is short-term, inducing a blackout and meaning some details of a night out are forgotten. However, it can also become long-term, causing permanent damage and resulting in major gaps in someone's memory.

Many people may not realise they are drinking too much. This is because the body builds up a tolerance. However, this tolerance does not prevent the damage being caused. Alcohol abuse can also trigger other health conditions. For advice cutting down – or giving up drinking entirely – visit Alcohol Change.

Brain Tumours

Before we explore this possible cause, it's important to remind you that there can be many other explanations for memory loss. We have already looked at a few. However, one possible cause is a brain tumour. Brain tumours are growths of cells that form in the brain and multiply in an uncontrollable manner. Some are benign, forming slowly. Others are malignant and develop quickly.

Trouble with memory is caused when the tumour puts pressure on certain parts of the brain. Most commonly, this is the frontal or temporal lobes. However, there are several other symptoms of a brain tumour that are likely to be experienced. These include frequent headaches, persistent nausea, behavioural changes, and seizures.

It is important that these symptoms are checked by a doctor. The sooner a tumour is caught, the more likely it is that treatment will be effective. If it is not a tumour, however, your loved one's doctor will still be able to offer support for the symptoms they are experiencing – memory loss included.

Dementia

When people experience memory problems in later life, many will worry that it may be the beginnings of dementia. However, it is important to remember that there are other probable causes of memory loss. That being said, one in fourteen people over the age of 65 has dementia.

There are many types of dementia. The most common forms are vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Sometimes it can develop slowly, other times it happens suddenly, such as after a stroke. Other signs of dementia include changes in their mood, problems with thinking and problem solving, difficulty moving, and memory loss. They may also lose interest in long-time hobbies.

Unfortunately, dementia cannot currently be cured. Early diagnosis, however, can help to get the right treatment to slow the condition. This could help to reduce the rate of memory loss and help your loved one continue to live a fulfilling life.

Remain Independent at Home

Experiencing memory loss can be a serious concern, especially in later life. You may start to worry that your days of living independently are running out. Fortunately, you can continue to live independently by purchasing a personal alarm from Careline365.

With a personal alarm, you can call for help in an emergency by pressing the button on your pendant. Most Careline customers purchase a personal alarm because they are worried about falls. A fall detection alarm can even raise an automatic alert if it senses a fall has occurred.

We also offer additional pendants for people who are worried about misplacing one. Alternatively, two pendants can be used to cover two people in the same property under one alarm plan.

To find out more about the products we provide, view our full range or read our helpful guide. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch. You can call our team on 0800 030 8777 or use our contact form.