Better Thinking
By Lindsay Walker, Executive Director for the Alzheimer’s Association Cleveland Area Chapter
What do you do when you notice you are not as mentally sharp as you used to be?
Mild Cognitive Impairment or MCI is an early stage of memory loss or other cognitive ability loss in individuals who are able to perform most activities of daily living.
MCI presents itself in many ways: You can’t focus; you’re unable to retain information; you have difficulty retrieving things from your memory; you’ve got language problems; or your judgment is off.
Why do people need to understand what MCI is? About one-third of people with MCI due to Alzheimer’s disease develop dementia within five years of diagnosis. Yet fewer than one in five Americans are familiar with mild cognitive impairment, which can be an early stage of Alzheimer’s, according to a survey by the Alzheimer’s Association.
The Alzheimer’s Association just released its 2022 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report. It unearthed challenges both doctors and the American public face in understanding and diagnosing MCI, which is characterized by subtle changes in memory and thinking.
There are different types of MCI. Accurate diagnosis of MCI due to Alzheimer’s disease, prior to the development of dementia, is crucial in identifying individuals who might qualify and benefit from early treatment. Since therapies targeting the early stages of Alzheimer’s have been approved and more are in development, early and accurate diagnosis will help determine eligibility for these treatments.
Dr. Douglas Scharre, Director of the Division of Cognitive Neurology and Director of the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders at The Ohio State University, told us that patients often don’t recognize that the symptoms of mild cognitive impairment are a health problem. But he said, whenever you or someone who knows you says you are changed — whether in personality, cognition or memory — it is time to go to the doctor.
Mild Cognitive Impairment can happen at a range of ages. Dr. Jagan Pillai, a cognitive neurologist at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health at Cleveland Clinic, said his youngest patients are in their late 20s, although the average age of his patients are 60-65 years old. He admits it’s quite challenging to know the difference between normal aging and MCI. “There should be a concern about a change in cognition versus previous levels of functioning,” he said.
At 51 years old, the Rev. Clare Sulgit learned she had MCI due to Alzheimer’s disease. A fourth-generation United Methodist pastor, she noticed last summer that she was having difficulty articulating words as she delivered her sermons. For a while, she thought it was due to stress from COVID. “I thought I was just dealing with the grief and the frustration and all the things that have come with that,” Rev. Sulgit said.
But the problems persisted, and she decided to go to her doctor and ask for a referral to a memory health clinic. After a series of tests, she got her diagnosis: Mild Cognitive Impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease. Not only is she young, but she also didn’t know she was ill.
“I really didn’t expect there to be anything, so I was surprised when there was,” Rev. Sulgit said. “It’s been helpful to have some answers,” she said.
One reason Rev. Sulgit wanted to get checked out is because her father was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in his early 50s. She said she is glad she knows her diagnosis. Her advice to others:I “As you are able, find out now, because it gives you more time to consider what your options are and to make a plan for your care,” she said.
Now some tips for you:
- When you have your Medicare annual wellness visit, a cognitive assessment should be completed.
- Also, according to Medicare.gov, Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) also covers a separate visit with your regular doctor or a specialist to fully review your cognitive function, establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease), and establish a care plan
- Lastly, don’t wait to see a doctor if you have any health concerns
Lindsay Walker is Cleveland Area Executive Director for the Alzheimer’s Association Cleveland Area Chapter. You can reach her at [email protected].
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Visit alz.org or call 800-272-3900.
