Patient Decision Aid
Mild Problems with Thinking or Memory
Options to Maintain Mental Capacities in Older Adults
Introduction
Who and why?
Priorities
Clarification exercise
Options
Explore the options
Decision
Make an informed choice
Profile
Summary of my process
Introduction
Who and why?
Older adults who suffer from brain diseases experience problems in a more significant way than people who are aging normally. They may experience memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. When these shortcomings are mild, people are often aware they are affected, and develop mechanisms to compensate for them.
Progression
Progression is uncertain. For every 100 people with mild thinking or memory problems...
- about 40 will progress to major thinking or memory problems within 5 years of diagnosis
- about 40 will improve their mental capacities within 5 years of diagnosis, but half of those people will develop major problems later on
- about 20 remain stable.
Taking your priorities into account
Depending on your priorities, you may or may not decide to make a change. The choice is up to you because...
- Progression of mild thinking or memory problems is uncertain.
- Various options exist to maintain or improve mental capacities:
- However, their long-term impacts on the onset of major thinking or memory problems are uncertain.
- These options can cause benefits or harms. It is difficult to predict how they will work for you.
- You are more likely to stick to a ifestyle change or an option that you chose yourself.
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We recommend that...
- The decision take into account the person’s values and priorities.
- The decision is shared among the healthcare professional, the person and, if necessary, the caregiver.
