Cognitive decline refers to a gradual worsening of mental functions like memory, reasoning, attention, language, etc. It is a part of the normal aging process, but can also signal medical conditions like dementia.
As we grow older, changes occur in the brain that can cause cognitive abilities to slowly decline. This manifests as:
These issues range from mild to severe among aging adults. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) refers to slight changes in cognition that don't severely impact daily living. However, some with MCI develop dementia over time.
Dementia involves more severe impairment that affects work, social life and independence. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Others include vascular, Lewy body and frontotemporal dementia.
Studies show that healthy lifestyles may delay cognitive decline. Staying physically and socially active, managing medical issues, sleeping well, reducing stress and stimulants like alcohol and tobacco can help.
Cognitive training exercises that challenge the brain may also be beneficial. Puzzles, learning new skills like languages or music instruments, mem