“What is Mild Cognitive Impairment?”

According to the National Institute on Aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is the term neurologist use when critical thinking, memory and/or language and communication are somewhat impaired. These impairments do not disrupt the day-to-day functioning for those who suffer from MCI. Unfortunately, for some seniors this does advance into a more disabling conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. But for the majority of older-adults with MCI, it is simply “the new normal”, to which themselves and loved ones must adapt to. The ongoing studies on the aging-brain show that up to one-in-five of those with MCI have a reversal of the symptoms and regain more of their cognitive functions over a period of months or years. Some of the signs and symptoms of MCI include:

• Compromised reasoning and judgement 
• Can’t make decisions
• Gets distracted and loses focus
• Forgets and repeats conversations
• Forgets appointments
• Forgets names of people
• Can’t always remember words

The brains cortical thickness volume does shrink to a degree with age, especially in the frontal cortex. The loss of brain mass does have an affect on brain functioning, but does not alter an older-adult’s ability to navigate in the world.

The American Academy of Neurology research indicates the MCI shows-up in 8% of people age 65-69, 15% of people 75-79 and 37% of people 85 and older.