Mind & Memory Changes As We Age: What's Normal and What's Not?

As we age, subtle changes in our thinking, memory, and attention are natural—just like graying hair or aching knees.

However, it's important to distinguish between normal cognitive aging and signs that something more serious might be happening.

"Senior moments," like forgetting a name or misplacing keys, can be unnerving. In a 2015 report, the Institute of Medicine commented that “What is dismissed as a minor inconvenience at 25 years of age can evolve into a momentary anxiety at 35, and a major source of personal worry at age 55 or 60.”

But should we worry?

• By middle adulthood, subtle changes begin to occur, most noticeable in how fast we process information and the time it takes to retrieve something from memory.
• By the seventh decade, cognitive changes continue to occur. Some tasks take longer to do than they did 25 years ago, and for most of us, it takes longer to learn new things. Perhaps it's slower, but most of us can still get where we need to be in the end.

These changes are normal. Though sometimes annoying, they do not mean the brain is sick.

When should I worry?

The following are warning signs that thinking has begun to change in ways beyond what is normal:

• Repetitive questioning. Asking someone the same question multiple times in a day or even in a single conversation can be a warning sign of cognitive decline. Telling the same person the same story over and over again is similar.  
• Attention lapses. New struggles to follow the plot of a television program or a novel may herald change. Sometimes, people become less aware of changes in the world around them, like current affairs or impending weather events.
• Getting lost, especially in familiar areas. The hippocampus, the part of the brain that helps us remember things, is also involved in supporting our navigational abilities, meaning that getting lost can be a warning sign.
• Mood changes. Sometimes, impending impairment reveals itself via mood changes. Some people develop depression and others anxiety. Irritability can also indicate that changes are occurring.

Noticing any of these changes can be alarming. That said, they do not necessarily mean that one has a neurodegenerative disease.

If you notice changes that concern you, the best step is to get evaluated by an experienced medical professional. Sometimes, changes are reversible. In other cases, the cognitive change may respond to early interventions.

To learn more about what changes are and are not normal in aging, complete the form below to access the full guide.