What is mild cognitive impairment or early dementia?
Early dementia, also known as mild cognitive impairment, involves problems with memory, language, or other cognitive functions. But unlike those with full-blown dementia, people with mild cognitive impairment are still able to function in their daily lives without relying on others. Many people with mild cognitive impairment eventually develop Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. However, others plateau at a relatively mild stage of decline and are able to live independently. Some people with mild cognitive impairment even return to normal. It is not yet fully understand why mild cognitive impairment progresses to Alzheimer’s disease in some, while remaining stable in others. The course is difficult to predict, but in general, the greater the degree of memory impairment, the greater the risk of developing Alzheimer’s down the line. According to The Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Ronald Peterson, roughly fifteen percent of the population between ages 70 and 90 experience minimal cognitiv
