As people age, it’s common to forget things now and then, like misplacing keys or forgetting someone’s name. But when memory loss becomes more serious and starts to affect daily life, it may be a sign of something more than just aging.

This is where terms like “senility” and “dementia” come into play. While some people may still use the word “senile dementia” to describe older adults with memory problems, it’s important to understand that this term is outdated and can be misleading. Read on to learn more.

What Does ‘Senile’ Mean?

The word “senile” comes from the Latin word senilis, meaning “old age.” In the past, doctors used the term senile dementia or senility to describe cognitive decline in older adults. These were once umbrella terms to refer to confusion, memory loss, personality changes, and poor judgment, all of which were considered a normal part of aging. Today, doctors use the term dementia or the more formal “major neurocognitive disorder,” which better reflects the underlying brain disease rather than age itself.

But today, we know that’s not true. Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells due to different diseases, not simply by aging alone. Medical experts now avoid using the term senile because it’s vague and can carry negative stereotypes.

Why Language Matters

Using outdated terms like senile or senility can have unintended negative consequences. It may make people feel like their symptoms aren’t serious or that their diagnosis isn’t a real medical condition. Not only can it affect those with dementia symptoms, it can offend their family members and loved ones, too.

Using more accurate terms like dementia or the specific type of dementia a person has, such as Alzheimer’s disease, helps support individuals with dementia and caregivers. It can also help reduce stigma around brain health.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is not an inevitable part of aging. Many people live into their 90s without it. Symptoms vary depending on the type of dementia and the brain regions affected. Dementia is an umbrella term for a decline in mental abilities that is severe enough to interfere with daily life. It affects memory, language, problem-solving skills, and even personality. The underlying cause of dementia is physical changes in the brain, such as the buildup of abnormal proteins or damage to blood vessels.

Some early symptoms of dementia include:

• Trouble remembering recent events
• Difficulty planning or solving problems
• Confusion about a time or place
• Changes in mood or behavior

There are many types of dementia. Each type affects the brain in different ways. Here are some of the most common types:

Alzheimer’s Disease

This is the most common form of dementia, making up 60 percent to 80 percent of cases. It starts with memory problems and gradually affects thinking, behavior, and personality. Alzheimer’s is caused by the abnormal buildup of proteins in the brain that damages cells.

Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often after a stroke or due to small vessel damage. Symptoms can appear suddenly or slowly over time. People may have trouble with planning, judgment, and paying attention.

Lewy Body Dementia

Lewy body dementia involves abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies. It causes problems with thinking and movement and can include hallucinations.

Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia affects the front and side parts of the brain, known as the frontal lobes and temporal lobes. It often causes changes in personality, behavior, and language before memory problems appear.

Mixed Dementia

Some people have more than one type of dementia at the same time, such as Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. This is referred to as mixed dementia.

Other less common causes include Parkinson’s disease dementia, Huntington’s disease, and rare conditions like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. A neurologist or memory specialist can help determine the exact type.

Age-Related Memory Loss vs. Dementia

It’s important to know the difference between normal aging and dementia. It’s normal to have occasional memory lapses as we age, like forgetting where you put your glasses or struggling to think of a word. This is called age-related memory loss or age-associated memory impairment.

You may occasionally forget names or details of an appointment, but you’re able to recall the forgotten information later on. Normal age-related memory loss typically doesn’t interfere with daily life or your ability to complete tasks.

With dementia, you may have serious problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. You may forget the names of close family members or get lost in familiar places. Dementia makes it hard to recall important information or even form new memories. Memory loss due to dementia interferes with daily tasks, social activities, and independence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing memory problems that seem more serious than normal aging, it’s important to talk to a healthcare professional. An early diagnosis can help with treatment initiation and planning for the future. Although most dementias cannot be cured, medications, lifestyle changes, and support services can slow progression, ease symptoms, and greatly improve quality of life for both patients and families.

Join the Conversation

On myALZteam, people share their experiences with dementia, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What have you learned about using the right language surrounding dementia? Let others know in the comments below.