What is Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Lesson Outline

As we age, some of our cognitive abilities gradually decline. We can’t remember quite as much when learning new information. We don’t process things quite as fast. Learning more complicated tasks becomes more difficult. However, we do continue to make lifelong memories, and even our vocabularies and wisdom may continue to improve into later life.

The changes associated with aging are subtle. Some degree of cognitive decline is normal and expected as we age. However, the changes associated with normal aging don’t impact a person’s ability to function independently.

Mild cognitive impairment or MCI, is diagnosed by a physician when people, their families, or friends notice that their memory and thinking skills have shown some signs of decline.