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Tue 16 Jun, 2009 01:02 pm
senility. as we age it seems we lose cognitive function but, because we lose cognitive function how are we to know we are losing cognitive function?
Senility is defined as the weakness or mental infirmity of old age, and is associated with the deterioration of the body and mind. It is commonly referred to as dementia.
Different areas of the brain control different skills and abilities. When mental functions such as memory, language, orientation, or judgment deteriorate, this may be a direct result of the way dementia has affected the brain.
@dyslexia,
I had a real clever reply for you, dys, but now I've forgotten what it was.
@dyslexia,
I'm thinking family and close friends would be to sensitive and not so close friends wouldn't really give a ****, so, other than primary care docs, what other input to any of us have that can confront us with our own senility?
I think we'll be aware of some deterioration, though we may be reluctant to
face up to it. I joke about "senior moments" all the time, but to tell you the
truth they scare the crap out of me.
My Uncle Ed is pushing 90 but he's a pretty self-aware guy. He knows that
some memory functions are degraded and feels frustrated at having to
struggle to retrieve a word or a name, but he takes it in stride and adjusts.
I've got four offspring to remind me how much I'm slipping.
@dyslexia,
I would gather there'd be telltale signs early on, so you'd best be preparing for what's to come. Get your affairs in order, get a friend to be a watch dog for you, and when you get to the point where you're forgetting more than you're remembering, put your Plan into action.
@Mame,
I do worry about the two cats.
@Mame,
What I would really like is someone close enough they would know when they needed to come get them. You know, like when the car hasn't been moved for a week. Actually, I have neighbors who would take over the care and feeding, but they have three cats and one dog already, so they'd be faced with finding homes for the old grouches.
Thanks for the thought.
@roger,
Their care would be part of your plan, so your best friend would take care of it. Don't worry, be happy. All is well.
I remember most people I worked with knew something was wrong early on.
It was being caught forgetting that 'something'....... or thinking something was going on and it was not..
But it seemed that the knowing was short lived. After a few months, the knowing was almost gone. At least on a regular basis it was.
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