Health Corner
Forgetfulness or cognitive impairment?
How to Tell the Difference Between “Forgetfulness” and “Cognitive Impairment”
Ordinary forgetfulness may result from emotional stress, anxiety, or even past brain injury, leading to occasional absent-mindedness or clumsiness.
However, cognitive impairment affects daily life more broadly. People may:
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Struggle to express themselves clearly.
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Lose control of bodily functions such as urination or defecation.
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Fail to complete familiar tasks.
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Forget family members, home addresses, or daily routines.
Quick Self-Check for Cognitive Impairment
If you often answer “frequently” to two or more of the following items, you may be showing early warning signs of cognitive impairment.
| Never | Occasionally | Frequently | |
| 1. Unable to recall or mix up names of family and friends | |||
| 2. Difficulty expressing yourself verbally or finding the right words | |||
| 3. Forget appointments or follow-up consultations | |||
| 4. Get lost in familiar places or forget where you are | |||
| 5. Suddenly unable to handle familiar tasks (e.g., mixing up steps when cooking) | |||
| 6. Unable to deal with unexpected situations (e.g., leaking water pipes) | |||
| 7. Forget to turn off the stove, appliances, or tap | |||
| 8. Confuse the date, forgetting the correct year or month |
Note: This self-assessment is for reference only. If you have any concerns, seek medical advice and request professional evaluation as early as possible.
Do Only Older People Get Cognitive Impairment?
Not necessarily.
While age increases the risk, younger individuals can also develop cognitive impairment.
Causes may include:
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Stroke or reduced blood supply to the brain.
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Head injuries.
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Brain vessel blockage or other vascular conditions.
Such problems can damage critical cognitive functions like speech and memory.
If a family history of early-onset cognitive impairment exists, the risk may be inherited.
Genetic abnormalities can cause toxic substances to accumulate in brain cells, leading to cognitive decline.
How to Reduce the Impact of Cognitive Impairment?
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Prevent cerebrovascular disease
Maintain good control of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and heart health. Managing these “three highs” reduces stroke risk and helps protect brain function. -
Quit smoking and alcohol
Both can damage brain tissues and raise the likelihood of developing cognitive disorders. -
Keep your brain active
Learn new skills, play strategic games like chess or mahjong, or read regularly to stimulate brain function and slow cognitive decline. -
Get early assessment
If family members under 65 have had cognitive impairment, consult a doctor about genetic testing. Early detection allows better management through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
