March 2022

If you’re an older adult experiencing memory lapses, lack of focus or confusion — or you have a loved one with those symptoms — it’s natural to worry about dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

But other treatable conditions can cause similar symptoms, and they can be easy for doctors to miss, says Ardeshir Hashmi, M.D., a geriatrician and section chief of Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Geriatric Medicine.

“Sometimes there’s just a very superficial workup and then [the doctor says], ‘Here’s a pill for Alzheimer’s,’ ” Hashmi says. (While no drug has been proved to stop or slow the progression of dementia, there are several federally approved medications that can help manage the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.) “Before you make that conclusion, you should rule out all the other things that can be confused with dementia — things that are easily reversible.”

To find out more from AARP about some common medical problems that can be mistaken for dementia, CLICK HERE. ​​

Having a positive attitude toward aging is powerful, and is the first step for seniors to enjoy a happy life. There are so many reasons to be positive at an older age.

5 Ways to Have a Positive Aging Experience

Having a positive attitude toward aging is powerful, and is the first step for seniors to enjoy a happy life. There are so many reasons to be positive at an older age. As an older adult, you have:

Less of an obligation to work.
More time for fun activities.
Reduced stress without household responsibilities.

The idea of aging can be a source of anxiety for many people, especially those who aren’t sure what to expect or how to navigate the experience. Growing older is a fact of life, and it is not a journey that should be feared, but rather, one that should be embraced.

With support and resources, you have everything you need to look forward to a positive aging experience. Life Care Services has put together a list of five ways you can find that positive attitude and use it to plan. To view the list, CLICK HERE.