A helpful guideline is that many people with serious mental impairment do not recognize or will not admit that they have a problem, while it is obvious to those around them. The recommendations given in this protocol can help age- associated mental impairment of any form or cause, but significant impairment arising from diseases such as stroke should be treated with the help of medical professionals. Causes Age-associated mental impairment can have a variety of causes beyond overall aging. Adverse side effects can result from too high or too low a dosage of medications, unusual reactions to medications, or combinations of medications. Be certain that your primary physician is aware of all prescription and nonprescription medications that you take.
Older people are less able to tolerate and recover from the use of such substances.
Alcohol also causes liver damage, increasing the risk of liver disease, which often leads to dementia. These problems may go undetected in older people when symptoms are attributed to aging. The brain is susceptible to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. Trauma is obvious in most cases based on history and examination. One type of head trauma frequent in older people, however, is not always obvious.