|
creating
change |
understanding
disability |
understanding
deaf culture |
addressing
accessibility |
understanding
violence |
responding
to violence |
safety alert
If you are in danger, please use a safer computer, call 911 or your local hotline or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233 voice), 1-800-787-3224 (tty). There is always a computer trail, but you can click ESCAPE to leave the site quickly.
You are here: home>understanding disability>functional categories>cognitive functions>
Aging and Dementia
Aging
Normal aging leads to declines in short-term memory but usually does not affect long-term memory. Everyone experiences a decrease in the ability to input new information as they age. Additionally, while older people can retain the new information as well as someone who is younger, the process of actually learning the new information may take longer.
Dementia
Dementia is the progressive decrease in brain function due to damage or disease. This is separate from normal aging impacts on cognitive ability. Alzheimer's disease is the most common, but there are other diseases associated with dementia, including Parkinson’s disease and AIDS. Dementia can also be a side effect of drug interactions between the person’s prescription medications.
