Ageing Quiz

See Cognitive Decline. Option C is correct because a small amount of cognitive decline is expected with normal ageing, thought to be due to natural shrinkage of the brain (atrophy). In practice this looks like slower processing or mild forgetfulness, with the person still managing everyday life on their own. Dementia is different. The NHS describes it as a collection of symptoms caused by damage to the brain from diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, and says it is not a natural part of ageing. Its early signs are memory problems and difficulty with complicated tasks, and these gradually interfere with daily activities and independence, with a progressive decline over time. The practical test is therefore function: if a person's independence is preserved, ageing is more likely, whereas if daily tasks are becoming difficult, assessment for dementia is needed. Any new confusion should also prompt a search for physical causes, such as an undiagnosed underactive thyroid.

• Normal ageing: a small amount of cognitive decline from brain atrophy, such as slower processing.
• Dementia: caused by brain disease and not a natural part of ageing.
• Practical test: preserved independence points to ageing, while failing daily tasks points to dementia.

D is wrong because loss of insight into the extent of one's memory problems is a feature of dementia, not normal ageing. Normal age-related memory complaints do not usually include loss of insight into their severity. A is wrong because progressive difficulty planning and organising day-to-day tasks suggests executive dysfunction from dementia. Normal ageing may slow processing, but it does not cause progressive loss of the ability to plan and organise daily tasks. E is wrong because repetitive questioning about the same information within a short period indicates impaired short-term memory and is common in dementia. Normal ageing can cause occasional forgetfulness, but not this pattern of repeated questioning. B is wrong because progressive difficulty naming common objects, with speech becoming vague, points to dementia. Normal ageing can cause occasional word-finding pauses, but not progressive loss of naming ability.