Researchers at Duke University Medical Center, the University of Michigan, the University of Iowa, the University of Southern California and the RAND Corporation report that while an estimated 3.4 million Americans have dementia, which they define as a loss of the ability to function independently, an additional 5.4 million people over age 70 have memory loss that "disrupts their regular routine but is not severe enough to affect their ability to complete daily activities."
Memory Loss in Seniors Affects the Whole Family
"These findings illustrate that nearly every family will be faced with the challenges of caring for a family member with some form of memory impairment," Brenda Plassman, Ph.D., associate research professor of psychiatry at Duke and the study's lead author said in a news release from Duke University.
"Even among the people age 71-79, a sizeable number had cognitive impairment. This is an age at which most people expect to have many productive years ahead."
Older Patients May Not Accurately Portray Symptoms
The study found that two factors increased the frequency of memory loss without dementia: aging and fewer years of education. This is similar to the trends seen in dementia.
Study researchers warn that some patients with memory loss may not be able to accurately describe their symptoms, so it's important for physicians to be alert to possible memory loss as they treat other medical problems such as hypertension and diabetes.
The researchers also suggest that physicians provide cognitive training for older patients.
Source: News release from Duke University: One in Three People Over 70 Have Memory Impairment.
