Misplaced glasses, forgotten names. How to know when to worry, and how to thrive

Key Points:

• Dr. Zaldy Tan, director of the Cedars-Sinai Memory & Healthy Aging Program, authored a new book offering insights into aging, memory loss, and resilience, emphasizing early evaluation and lifestyle changes to slow dementia progression.
• The program helps identify those at risk of memory loss, advising on controlling diabetes, hypertension, sleep, exercise, and diet to reduce dementia risk, though no cure currently exists.
• Tan distinguishes between normal age-related forgetfulness and signs of cognitive impairment, urging timely medical consultation to address reversible causes like depression or vitamin deficiencies.
• Patient stories in Tan’s book illustrate diverse responses to diagnosis, highlighting the importance of maintaining engagement in meaningful activities and positive memories.
• Caregivers like Adai Lamar find reassurance through Tan’s guidance, learning that vascular dementia is generally not hereditary and discovering ways to support loved ones while managing their own health concerns.