Language is an aspect of cognition that changes with normal aging. For example, if you are shown house keys, you may be able to tell what they are, what they do, even how to use them, but you might forget their name. This is the so-called tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon, which is the borderline of normal. Keys are a very common object. Usually, it's more rare stuff that people have trouble finding the right word for, like a descriptive adjective or something to do with the conversation they're having.
Aging & Mental Health
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredMost serious aging happens at the cellular level. The simple act of bending your knee, for example, exposes the cells of your cartilage to physical damage and damaging chemicals. Sometimes those cells are killed directly by the damage (that's called necrosis), while in other instances, damage accumulates over time, and the cells eventually go into retirement. That process is called senescence, when the cells stop dividing permanently, or they undergo apoptosis, in which they're broken up and reabsorbed.
As cells become senescent, tissues slowly lose their ability to repair and regenerate themselves efficiently and perfectly. Imperfectly repaired cells accelerate damage, which in turn causes more cells to become senescent, which causes even more damage. Imperfectly repaired or replaced or retired cells build up—like those in arthritic joints. And so the vicious cycle of old age keeps spinning, unless you know how to stop it or keep it from starting in the first place. -
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Sharine Forbes , Geriatric Medicine, answeredResearch to-date clearly supports the idea of “use it or lose it” and even expands on the original hypothesis; not only can a holistic lifestyle help prevent mental decline in old age, it can also contribute positively to its sustainability and quality of life. Thus, a holistic lifestyle and challenging the brain encourages the neurological processes to keep working by fostering intellectual functions (Williams & Kemper, 2010). This includes, but is not limited to, learning a new language, or learning to use the computer, crossword puzzles and “brain games”, such as bridge or chess (Williams & Kemper, 2010). By maintaining the mental mechanisms engaged an individual can “use-it” and not “lose-it”. Therefore, people should be encouraged to engage in life-long learning opportunities as a means to stay fit.
This article by Williams and Kemper (2010), states that training the working memory can help maintain fluid and crystallized intelligence. Fluid intelligence (Gf), thought to be determined by genetic factors (Schaie ,1993), is regarded as an individual’s capability to comprehend the world around them, without the use of any current knowledge or skill, to help them solve a problem. Crystallized intelligence (Gc), although somewhat dependent on fluid intelligence, is measured differently, as it is regarded to as being the extent to which ones environment, i.e. education, and even culture, has contributed to ones mental abilities (Schaie, 1993). Crystallized intelligence (Gc) helps explain the differences within a given age range as there are a lot of variations in intelligence due to influences which can impact cognitive mechanism outside of age (Horn & Cattell, 1967).
Williams, K.N. & Kemper, S. (2010). Interventions to Reduce Cognitive Decline in Aging. Journal of Psychological Nursing, 48, 42-51.
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Dr. Kelly Traver , Internal Medicine, answeredBalance also declines with age due to a reduction in nerve connections in the cerebellum as well as in the joints. These nerves are important because they give your brain valuable information about your position in space. The two best things a person can do to preserve balance are to keep the core muscles strong and to participate in tai chi or chi gong, which are slow, rhythmic Eastern movements that build strength and balance.
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Sharine Forbes , Geriatric Medicine, answered
Research to-date clearly supports the idea of “use it or lose it” and even expands on the original hypothesis; not only can a holistic lifestyle help prevent mental decline in old age, it can also contribute positively to its sustainability and quality of life. Thus, a holistic lifestyle and challenging the brain encourages the neurological processes to keep working by fostering intellectual functions (Williams & Kemper, 2010). This includes, but is not limited to, learning a new language, or learning to use the computer, crossword puzzles and “brain games”, such as bridge or chess (Williams & Kemper, 2010). By maintaining the mental mechanisms engaged an individual can “use-it” and not “lose-it”. Therefore, people should be encouraged to engage in life-long learning opportunities as a means to stay fit.
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Dole Food Company answeredOne of the major theories of aging attributes physiological deterioration to the accumulated damage that free radicals cause our cells over time—and neurons, the interconnected networks of nerve cells that the brain relies on to function, are particularly vulnerable to free-radical damage.
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See All 2 AnswersHmmm. "Lack of truthfulness" from an elder can cause issues in any number of ways. Are you concerned about what they are telling you - perhaps overstating their ability to function independently, manage finances, take medications, report health complaints? Gentle but firm observation of reality - what your eyes are telling you - is in order.
Are statements made to other family members about you, your caregiving (or alleged lack thereof) the problem? Borrowing from Miss Manners recommendation for parent / teacher conferences; "If you don't believe everything they say about me - I won't believe everything they say about you." Any family member who further challenges your caregiving should be handed a calendar, and scheduled liberally. "I have a life" is no excuse.
Does this lack of truthfulness manifest itself in the doctor's office? Clinicians skilled in the care of elders will value your input. Call the office, and ask to speak with the staff (often a nurse) in advance. Sometimes, standing slightly behind "the patient" in the exam room, will allow you to provide input (nod yes, no, roll your eyes...) when answers don't jive with reality.
In all situations, "Trust but Verify," is the goal.
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Shelley Webb , Nursing, answeredWhether or not the accusations from an aging parent are true, being accused of anything hurts. But how does a person respond to these allegations when the temptation is to strike back with angry words and tone in order to convince the person they are wrong? Never agree with them that they are correct in hopes that they'll forget about it later. What you can do is to be sympathetic to their situation. For instance, you can say I'm sorry that you believe that I've taken your....whatever. I would never do that. Let's see if we can locate it together. There are some items that must be removed from an aging parent's possession for their own safety such as car keys, pocket knives, power tools, or weapons. In this case, the caregiver may need to use an untruth such as the radial arm saw is in the shop being repaired.
Most often, accusations from an aging parent stem around money issues. Paranoia about money is common with those suffering from dementia. This is an issue that may come up daily. The advent of online banking can sometimes help to demonstrate to your aging parent that the money is indeed still in their account. Another ingenious way of handling this is to take your parent's bank statements and mark out all personal info with a black pen so that if it was lost, it wouldn't be a problem. Give your aging parent the statements so that they could keep them to read every time they were concerned. In one example, the statements became as soft as cotton due to frequent touching, but the accusations of money theft lessened. -
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Shelley Webb , Nursing, answeredThere are so many disappointments in the aging process such as decreased hearing and vision, mobility issues, isolation, and physical limitations. Many aging parents push a lot of anger at these situations back because it's difficult to yell at not being able to hear or to rage about getting tired when climbing stairs. They may displace the anger onto other things or people. The aging process also reminds anyone that life may soon be coming to an end and if individuals are not pleased with how life has gone so far, or if life has seems unfair, there may be a lot of anger at life itself. This type of anger can also be displaced onto other things or people.
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Dr. Philip Lisagor, MD , Thoracic Surgery (Cardiothoracic Vascular), answered on behalf of The Rest of Your Life (ROYL)Cognition is a vital part of healthy aging and quality of life. Cognition is a combination of mental processes that includes intuition, judgment, language, remembering and the ability to learn new things. Elders and others experiencing cognitive decline may be unable to care for themselves or to conduct necessary activities of daily living, such as meal preparation and money management. Limitations with the ability to effectively manage medications and existing medical conditions are particular concerns when an individual is experiencing cognitive decline or dementia. If cognitive decline can be prevented or better treated, quality of life improves.