According to a recent article published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), dementia, a general, umbrella term for symptoms resulting from a progressive cognitive decline, affects over six million Americans. It further cites data from researchers estimating that over 40% of Americans older than 55 will develop dementia at some point.
Word-finding difficulty (WFD), a complaint that becomes more common as people age, is a symptom now believed to be one of the early dementia signs and cognitive impairment (CI) indications.
In this guide, the caring team at Ormond in The Pines, our warm and welcoming independent and assisted living community in Ormond Beach, FL, located just 5 minutes from Daytona Beach, will share insights into WFD and speech changes in aging. Read on to discover how they indicate cognitive impairment and how compassionate assisted living can help support seniors with CI.
Word-finding difficulty can either be "lethologica" or "anomia."
Lethologica is a temporary, albeit common, experience of knowing a word but being unable to remember it. People who encounter such "incidents" often describe the word they're looking for as being on the "tip of the tongue."
As an article by Verywell Mind notes, lethologica is a universal phenomenon that affects both younger and older adults. Its frequency increases with age, though.
Like lethologica, anomia can also give a person a "tip of the tongue" feeling. However, it can be more serious, as it can indicate a neurological condition like cognitive impairment or dementia.
Anomia may also result from other problems that often lead to senior communication issues. Traumatic brain injury (e.g., after a fall in which an older adult hits their head) or a stroke are some examples.
Word-finding difficulty can indicate cognitive changes in older adults if it has become more persistent and severe. If problems with finding the "right words" occur many times daily, it could signify a slowing of brain functions or issues with language processing. They're both characteristic of cognitive impairment and dementia.
According to the National Institute on Aging, scientists found that subtle changes in speech may also develop before cognitive decline itself. For instance, speaking more slowly or with more frequent and more prolonged pauses could be early signs of Alzheimer's. Such changes, which could happen if a person struggles to find the right words, can occur even before memory changes do.
When word-finding difficulty becomes more prominent and severe, it can have profound, adverse effects on a senior's:
Seniors who experience severe WFD, for instance, may feel frustrated and inadequate. They may develop anxiety or depression as a result. According to AARP, 6.17% of adults 65+ received an anxiety diagnosis in 2023, and another 6.11% had a depression diagnosis.
Being anxious when communicating can also exacerbate word-finding difficulty. When seniors often experience this, they may worry constantly about speaking with others. In fear of embarrassment, they may choose not to socialize anymore, resulting in them becoming isolated and increasing their risk of loneliness.
Social isolation and loneliness can make things worse for seniors. The U.S. CDC notes that they can increase risk for physical health problems (e.g., heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke) and mental and cognitive issues (e.g., anxiety, depression, and dementia).
Language skills and aging don't always share an inverse relationship, and many older adults will continue to have stable or even improved semantic knowledge and vocabulary. The goal of a kind, caring, and reputable assisted living community, such as Ormond in The Pines, is to help seniors minimize their risks of developing such problems and support those already experiencing these speech changes.
Here are some examples of how our pet-friendly senior living community in Ormond Beach can help.
At Ormond in The Pines, we're proud to have a team comprised of highly trained and kind members. We implement a person-centric, tailored approach to providing the compassionate, respectful care and help that our assisted living residents require and deserve. As expert care providers, our staff members understand and know how to address communication and cognitive concerns, allowing them to interact in a more meaningful way with our residents.
Our assisted living campus in Ormond Beach, FL, takes pride in its robust, well-planned calendar of daily physical, recreational, and social activities that foster senior wellness. Something fun, engaging, and stimulating is always happening here, encouraging our residents to participate and keep their bodies, minds, and spirits active. Some examples are:
As part of our community's inclusive offerings, we also provide our residents with concierge services. You or your older loved one can always ask our friendly team for help, such as with planning your day and finding out which activities or events to enjoy.
At Ormond in The Pines, we have many on-site amenities designed to:
For example, we have a senior-equipped fitness center and a heated outdoor swimming pool where residents can stay fit while being social. They can also enjoy the use of an activity room to pursue hobbies or interests that can help keep their minds engaged and stimulated. Our private gardens and walking paths can also entice them to go on "walking tours" with friends, pets, or both.
Because word-finding difficulty can indicate cognitive impairment, even dementia, seniors and their family members should pay attention to such changes in speech and seek help before it worsens.
Let Ormond in The Pines, our beautiful assisted living community in Ormond Beach, FL, provide you or your older loved one with the kind and compassionate personal care and attention you deserve. With our daily fun events, tight community connection, and inclusive amenities, we can help you age gracefully and stay social.
Call us today to arrange a tour of our senior living community!