# Screening for Cognitive Decline

- Link: https://www.alquimedez.com/screening-for-cognitive-decline
- Published: 2021-09-10T08:21:27+00:00
- Author: alquimedezhemo

Henry Montero, LMHC, CASAC-2, CTTS

**Alquimedez Mental Health Counseling**
 Tel: [315-505-2400](https://www.alquimedez.com/3155052400)
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henmontero Instagram: alquimedezmentalhealth

Cognitive decline or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as it is medically known, is
defined as the phase between an individual’s expected deterioration in healthy aging
and the more severe decline of dementia.
 Symptoms

It is only natural that the human brain, much like the rest of the body, deteriorates
as we grow older. This is primarily why people gradually experience loss of memory,
or they merely forget menial things. Even remembering trivial aspects of your daily
life like another person’s name or an address may prove to be a little bit more 
complicated as time passes.

Individuals who are experiencing cognitive deterioration as time goes by may exhibit
a variety of characteristics such as the forgetfulness above. This can include being
unable to remember mundane events like social meetings or a doctor’s appointment.

They may lose their chain of thought as a consequence of cognitive decline and may
be unable to have conversations about books or movies without knowing full details.
Also, victims may be uneasy when faced with making decisions or planning a simple
task as well.

Cognitive decline patients may face difficulties in finding their way, even if they
inhabit a familiar setting like their home or a market they frequent. Also, they
are also likely to become impulsive and make rash decisions which are not by their
general demeanor.

**Diagnosis**
 The detection of cognitive decline is an essential aspect of retaining
a patient’s **mental health**. To ensure that they do not entirely slip away, it
is important that the issue is identified. Those who are in proximity to patients
have a pivotal role in this regard.

For example, friends and family around patients facing a cognitive decline may notice
memory lapses in them. In some cases, the person himself may observe cases where
their memory fails them. The best case scenario in this instance is to consult a
medical professional at the earliest.

Seeing a specialist is highly recommended because in most cases, people facing a
cognitive decline end up developing Alzheimer’s eventually. As far as the statistics
are concerned, about [80%](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-mild-cognitive-impairment)
of patients end up developing Alzheimer’s within seven years of the onset of cognitive
decline. On the other hand, only 3% of people aged 65 and over are likely to develop
the disease at some point.

Science suggests that cognitive impairment is linked to genetics. This is a factor
in determining if an individual is likely to develop MCI and ultimately Alzheimer’s
as well. Typically, doctors carry out tests to gauge a patient’s memory, thought
patterns and language skills before they can positively determine if the person’s
brain is in decline.

There is no definitive treatment for cognitive decline yet. However, specialists
suggest that an individual should execute certain activities that enable him to 
stay healthy and process his gradual decline.