Often when a senior loved one is experiencing memory loss or general issues with cognitive functioning, they may also have difficulty with word recall. Word finding difficulties are a common symptom of early stage Alzheimer's but there are many other possible causes to be considered as well. Impairment of the semantic memory, which is the memory for understanding and recognizing words, also appears in many dementia diagnosed patients. Other diagnoses that involve the symptom of word finding difficulties include stroke, major depression, head injuries and simple aging.
Just as the phrase sounds, word finding difficulties mean that a person has difficulty choosing or recalling the right word to adequately express a thought. This may present itself as difficulty naming objects, recalling names, finding the right word or just generally tip-of-the-tongue experiences. The senior may hesitate and then attempt to find a word to express his or her thought or he or she may use an incorrect word or a similar word or simply describe what the word means.
When loved ones are experiencing word recall issues there are several ways to approach testing them for cognitive impairment. You will first want to note whether this individual has always had these concerns or if this is a new development. You also need to take into consideration whether the person speaks more than one language and if so, whether this is affecting the primary language. Also keep in mind that as people age this could be completely normal especially in words that are not used very often.
Take notice of other non-memory triggers including personality changes, signs of depression or balance issues. If you notice any of these, consider getting a cognitive test as soon as possible. There are numerous benefits to early detection of cognitive impairment. You are likely to have a better chance of benefiting from treatment, more time to plan for the future and the ability to develop a team of caregivers and medical providers.
Below are a few of the recommended cognitive assessment tools available to help you determine if a full dementia evaluation is needed:
GPCOG – screening tool used by many general practitioners
Mini-Cog – 3 minute test using a clock draw activity
AD8 – 8 questions used to distinguish between dementia and aging
Specifically for word-finding difficulties:
Verbal Fluency Test
Boston Naming Test
The tests will likely be combined with a physical examination as well as observation of the patient and interviews of loved ones. Early detection is key so if your loved one is having issues with word recall, get an evaluation right away. At Stouffer Legal, we care about our seniors. Word recall issues may also indicate that it is time to meet with an Elder Law attorney for estate planning and long-term care planning. Contact our office to learn more.
