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Do You Know the Difference Between Dementia and Normal Memory Loss?

By Caring.com Staff

ID:: 12721
First Published:: 10-Jun-2008
Last updated on: Tuesday June 10, 2008
Related Topics:: alzheimer's diagnosis , alzheimer's , alzheimer's symptoms , memory loss
Summary:: A short quiz to help you tell the difference between normal memory loss and dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

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Is your aging parent showing signs of Alzheimer's, dementia, or normal memory loss? Test your IQ about typical vs. worrisome memory issues.

Which of the following memory lapses in a parent should most concern you?
1. Forgetting what he came into a room to do
2. Forgetting to take his pills
3. Forgetting what he ate for breakfast
4. Forgetting that he ran errands this morning
5. Forgetting whether he locked the door
Your mother suddenly pauses in mid-sentence. It's most likely normal age-related memory loss if she:
1. Says, "Wait, wait, it's on the tip of my tongue."
2. Shrugs and changes the subject.
3. Comes up with a word that doesn't make sense.
At what age does memory start to decline?
1. 20s
2. 30s
3. 40s
4. 50s
5. 60s
6. 70s
7. 80s
Your mom can't find her glasses. You shouldn't worry unless:
1. They're right on top of her head.
2. She spends a lot of time backtracking her steps while searching.
3. She forgets in mid-search what she's looking for.
Which of the following statements is not supported by current brain research?
1. Everyone's memory slows down a bit with age.
2. Everyone who lives long enough will get Alzheimer's.
3. Everyone should exercise the brain as well as the body.
Which driving behavior is most strongly associated with dementia?
1. Forgetting where you parked the car at the mall
2. Forgetting how to get home from a familiar destination
3. Having trouble driving in the dark
Who is more likely to have dementia?
1. Someone who complains and worries about forgetfulness
2. Someone who complains about forgetfulness only when asked
You give your parent an iPod. Which reaction is the least typical of normal aging?
1. Refusing to learn how to use it because she prefers her stereo
2. Never getting any farther than rereading the instructions
3. Learning how to use it, eventually, but ignoring many functions because she can't remember what all the buttons do
What is Mild Cognitive Impairment?
1. Another name for early-stage Alzheimer's
2. A description of the normally aging brain
3. A subtle decline in memory and mental ability
Which of the following most likely suggests that your parent has a serious memory problem?
1. You find his wallet on your kitchen counter -- again.
2. You find his wallet in the refrigerator.
3. You find his wallet packed with shopping lists, to-do lists, and other written reminders.

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