If you’ve noticed memory lapses or behavioral changes in someone you care about, thinking about next steps can seem overwhelming and intimidating. Many people avoid exploring these changes, for fear of receiving a diagnosis like Alzheimer’s disease.
While inaction may be tempting, there are several reasons to examine a shift in cognition. First, there are many possible causes for memory loss, and a number of these causes are treatable. And if your loved one does receive a diagnosis, it may actually provide some relief; he or she has likely noticed their own cognitive changes and putting a name to their experience can validate that they are going through something real.
