What is cognitive impairment?

If you have cognitive impairment, you may notice problems with:

• remembering things
• thinking and attention
• planning and organising
• controlling your emotions
• recognising or communicating with other people
• problem solving

These problems may not be easy to notice or obvious. You might lose some of your thinking skills but not your memory.

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Cognitive impairment is a symptom, not an illness. Many conditions can cause cognitive impairment.

Cognitive impairment can begin as from mild and become severe.

Sometimes, cognitive impairment can get better. You can also do things to help slow down cognitive decline.

If you have a mild cognitive impairment you can continue to do your normal daily tasks. You might also hear the term 'mild neurocognitive disorder'.

Older people are more likely to have cognitive impairment, but it does not happen to everyone. It's not a part of the normal ageing process. It can affect anyone.

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What causes cognitive impairment?

There are many causes of cognitive impairment.

The most common causes are:

• delirium, which usually starts suddenly
• dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia or Lewy body disease
• depression

Some other causes of cognitive impairment are:

• brain injury
• stroke
• intellectual disability
• drug use
• side effects from medicines
• anxiety
• COVID-19

To work out if you have cognitive impairment, and what is causing it, your doctor may ask you about your:

• symptoms and general health
• current medicines
• memory
• concentration
• understanding

Doctors often use a quick screening test called the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

To find the cause of your cognitive impairment, your doctor may also arrange:

• blood tests
• imaging of your brain such as a CT scan or MRI

Your doctor may want to ask your family or friends some questions. This is because people close to you may have noticed changes in your behaviour over time.

When should I see my doctor?

See your doctor if you or someone you know shows signs of cognitive impairment.

If you are aged under 65, your doctor may be able to assess you for NDIS support.

How is cognitive impairment treated?

Treatment will depend on what is causing your cognitive impairment.

If the cause is not clear, your doctor will want to check how you're going over time. They may also refer you to see a specialist, such as a geriatrician (expert in managing the health of older people).

If you have dementia, learn how to manage your life so you can continue to live well. You can set up routines to help with remembering what to do and consider support from a family member or carer.

Self-care at home

Lifestyle changes that can help delay the progress of mild cognitive impairment include:

• exercising regularly — any level of physical activity is better than none
• eating a balanced diet
• reducing your alcohol intake
• having healthy sleep habits
• staying socially engaged
• keeping your brain active — anything from doing a crossword to playing an instrument can help

Medicines for cognitive impairment

If delirium, depression, Alzheimer's disease or infection is the cause of your cognitive impairment, your doctor may prescribe medicines for those conditions. Medicines for Alzheimer's disease usually slow down cognitive changes, but are not a cure.

Your doctor may organise a Home Medicines Review. This is where a pharmacist looks at all the medicines that you take. They will check to see if any of your medicines or combinations of medicines could be causing your symptoms.

Other treatment options

You may find these non-medical ways helpful:

• psychological therapy
• memory training and activities
• alternative therapies such as multi-sensory therapy

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What are the complications of cognitive impairment?

Cognitive impairment may be an early sign of dementia. Dementia is more severe than mild cognitive impairment but usually takes a long time to develop. Having a mild cognitive impairment does not mean that you will get dementia.

If you have dementia, it's important to stop activities like driving, to keep yourself and others safe. Your doctor should also assess your ability to continue driving if you have cognitive impairment. Sometimes, restrictions such as how far from home you can drive are needed.

You may find it becomes difficult to continue to work or study. Your relationships may get harder to maintain.

Cognitive impairment can sometimes lead to falls.

Can cognitive impairment be prevented?

Some things that can help lower the chance of cognitive impairment or dementia are:

• being physically, mentally and socially active
• eating a balanced diet and keeping to a healthy weight
• quitting smoking or vaping
• reducing or stopping drinking alcohol
• wearing a helmet to protect your head when riding a bike or playing sports
• cognitive training

It's important to also manage any existing health conditions, such as:

• depression
• diabetes
• dyslipidaemia (changes in blood lipid levels)
• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• loss of vision or hearing

Resources and support

You can learn more about cognitive impairment from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. This site also has resources on your Healthcare Rights available in many languages.

Dementia Australia offers a free, online, small-group program to support people with mild-cognitive impairment.

If you're aged under 65 years and have severe cognitive impairment, you may be eligible for support from the NDIS. Find out about the requirements.

Visit My Aged Care for help with aged care services, including assessments for Support at Home.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.