Capacity & Confusion:
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| Normal Age-Related Memory Loss | Alzheimer’s Disease | |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Loss | ||
| Forgetting names and appointments occasionally | vs. | Forgetting more often; unable to recall info later on |
| Difficulty performing familiar tasks | ||
| Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what you planned to say | vs. | Difficulty completing everyday tasks including meal prep, using telephone |
| Language problems | ||
| Some word finding difficulty | vs. | Forgetting simple words; substituting words; writing hard to understand |
| Disorientation to time and place | ||
| Forgetting names and appts occasionally | vs. | Forgetting more often; unable to recall info later on |
| Disorientation to time and place | ||
| Forgetting the day of the week or where you were going | vs. | Getting lost in the neighborhood; not knowing how to get back home |
| Poor or decreased judgment | ||
| Making questionable or debatable decisions | vs. | Poor judgment about money, dressing vs. inappropriately, driving, etc. |
| Abstract thinking | ||
| Balancing a checkbook is harder | vs. | Unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks; i.e. remembering numbers |
| Misplacing things | ||
| Misplacing keys or wallet temporarily | vs. | May put things in unusual places, i.e. iron in the freezer, watch in sugar bowl |
| Changes in mood or behavior | ||
| Occasionally feeling sad or moody | vs. | May show rapid mood swings |
| Changes in Personality | ||
| Personality does change somewhat with age | vs. | Dramatic personality changes – confusion, suspiciousness, fearful |
| Loss of initiative | ||
| Sometimes tired of work or social obligations | vs. | May become more passive, sitting or not wanting usual activity level |
The Elder Justice Resource Guide includes information about elder abuse, accessible courtrooms for older adults, capacity and confusion, effective communication, and available resources for older adults experiencing abuse. The Guide also includes a comprehensive directory of national, state, and local services available to older adults.
