Intellectual Devleopment: Ageing and Memory Flashcards
What happens to the hippocampus at old age?
The hippocampus region of the brain involved in the formation and retrieval of memories, often deteriorates with age.
The brain is capable of producing new brain cells at any age, but much less with age. But just as it is with muscle strength, you have to use it or lose it.
What are the influences of hormones?
Changes in hormones and proteins that protect and repair brain cells and stimulate neural growth also decline with age.
How does lifestyle affect the brain?
Lifestyle, health habits, and daily activities have a huge impact on the health of your brain. Whatever your age, there are many ways you can improve your cognitive skills, prevent memory loss, and protect your grey matter.
How does your vascular health and blood flow effect the brain?
Older people often experience decreased blood flow to the brain, which can impair memory and lead to changes in cognitive skills.
What is the difference between age related memory loss and dementia?
Age related memory loss isn’t disabling. The memory lapses have little impact on your daily performance and ability to do what you want to do, they’re normal.
What are the normal age-related memory changes?
Able to function independently and pursue normal activities, despite occasional memory loss.
Able to recall and describe incidents of forgetfulness.
May pause to remember directions, but doesn’t get lost in familiar places.
Occasional difficulty finding the right word, but no trouble holding a conversation.
Judgement and decision-making ability the same as always.
What symptoms may indicate dementia?
Difficulty performing simple tasks (paying bills, dressing appropriately, washing up); forgetting how to do things you’ve done many times.
Unable to recall or describe specific instances where memory loss caused problems.
Gets lost or disoriented even in familiar places; unable to follow directions.
Words are frequently forgotten, misused or garbled; repeats phrases and stories in the same conversation.
Trouble making choices; may show poor judgement or behave in socially inappropriate ways.
