Are You Becoming More Forgetful? 7 Signs of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Everyone experiences a little forgetfulness as they age. But for about 10 million Americans, forgetfulness is a sign of a condition called mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a relatively common medical issue that’s not very well known.

At The Marcann Group, our team offers a memory care program developed specifically for people in Glendale and Phoenix, Arizona, struggling with changes in their memory or cognitive functioning. If you’re having issues with your memory, here are seven MCI symptoms you should know.

Understanding mild cognitive impairment 

MCI involves memory loss and other symptoms beyond the memory issues typically associated with aging, but not so significant that they interfere with your daily activities. Most people with MCI have symptoms beyond forgetfulness, including issues with language, processing thoughts, or impulsivity.

MCI can also be a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. Seeking memory care treatment early can help delay the progression and improve your memory and other symptoms.

Keep in mind that some people with MCI never progress to dementia. Many may actually find their memory problems improve, especially once they begin “memory-training” exercises with our team.

7 Symptoms of MCI

Recognizing the symptoms of MCI is essential for early treatment. In fact, a discussion of your symptoms helps with diagnosis, along with lab tests, imaging studies, and other assessments. Here are seven common symptoms you should know.

1. You forget things more often than your peers do
2. Friends or family members have mentioned your memory issues
3. You frequently lose or misplace things
4. You have increasing difficulty finding the right word
5. You often lose your train of thought
6. You forget important events or appointments
7. It’s getting more difficult or frustrating to make decisions

People with mild cognitive impairment can sometimes have increasing difficulties with movement, or they may notice a diminishing sense of taste or smell. They may get frustrated more easily or find themselves feeling more irritable. 

It’s not always dementia

One reason why people delay having their memory issues diagnosed is that they’re worried that they might have Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. But you shouldn’t put off visiting our office because some memory issues can be caused by other underlying problems, like medications, chronic diseases, depression, and even nutrient deficiencies. 

And sometimes, mild memory issues are simply due to changes in the brain that happen with age. Having your symptoms evaluated early ensures you’re getting the best treatment for your needs, and it can also go a long way toward giving you peace of mind.

Don’t let worry interfere with your care

If you’re worried about your memory issues, you might be tempted to ignore your concerns or to put off care “until another day.” But memory care works best when it’s initiated early, and early diagnosis and treatment could also delay progression — or even discover other causes that are easily treatable.

Don’t neglect your health out of worry about your diagnosis. Memory care can help. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with the team at The Marcann Group today.