As we grow older, we have come to expect and accept that our bodies do not perform at the same level as when we were younger.  Our reflexes slow down, joints begin to ache, we can't eat the same foods as we once could...all common reflections of aging bodies. This also hold true for the brain.  It is common for seniors to experience moments of memory loss.  However, memory loss that begins to effect the daily life is usually a symptom of something more serious.  Dementia, in it's many forms, is the deterioration of cognitive abilities.  The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease.

Discovered in 1906 by German physician, Lois Alzheimer,  Alheimer's disease attacks the brain by destroying cells and the brains ability to communicate. It is a progressive and fatal disease that affects over 5.3 million Americans today. Though it currently has no known cure, there are treatments and services that can make life better for many who are battling this disease.

The first step is recognizing the symptoms of the disease.  The Alzheimer's Association provides it's 10 Signs of Alzheimer's:

1.  Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
ex: forgetting important dates or asking the same question over and over

2.  Challenge in planning or solving problems.
ex:  may not be able to follow a familiar recipe or forgets to pay monthly bills

3.  Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work or at leisure
ex:  getting lost driving to a familiar location or forgetting rules to a favorite game

4.  Confusion with time or place
ex:  forgetting where they are and/or how they got there

5.  Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
ex:  may have trouble determing a color or not recognize their reflection in a mirror

6.  New problems with words in speaking or writing
ex:  experience trouble having a conversation or use the wrong word (calling a table a "bed")

7.  Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
ex:  putting things in unusual places or accuse others of stealing their items

8.  Decreased poor judgment
ex:  giving large amounts of money to telemarketers or cease personal grooming

9.  Withdrawal from work or social activities
ex:  removing themselves from social activities or forget how to complete a favorite hobby

10. Changes in mood and personality
ex:  may become anxious or confused or easily upset when out of their comfort zone

Of course, speaking to your doctor if you think you, or someone you know, has Alzheimer's is the only way to know for sure.  There are tests to determine if the problems are temporary or are the signs of something more serious.  As with any disease, the earlier the diagnosis, the better chance there is to treat it.

Please feel free to share your experieinces by leaving a comment; personal or professional.