Some older adults have more memory or thinking problems than other adults their age. This condition is called mild cognitive impairment, or MCI.
There is no single cause of MCI. The risk of developing MCI increases as someone gets older. Conditions such as diabetes, depression, and stroke may increase a person’s risk for MCI.
What Are the Symptoms of Mild Cognitive Impairment?
The symptoms of MCI are not as severe as the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. For example, people with MCI do not experience the personality changes or other problemsthat are characteristic of Alzheimer’s. People with MCI are still able to take care of themselves and do their normal daily activities.
Signs of MCI may include:
• Losing things often
• Forgetting to go to events or appointments
• Having more trouble coming up with words than other people of the same age
Movement difficulties and problems with the sense of smell have also been linked to MCI.
To learn more about mild cognitive impairment and how it’s diagnosed, from the National Institute on Aging, CLICK HERE.
