Confusion and memory problems

Many people find it harder to think clearly or remember things at the end of their life. This is sometimes called cognitive impairment. It can be worrying for you, as well as for your families and friends. But there are things you can do to make it easier to live with.

On this page:

What is cognitive impairment?

Cognitive impairment is when it becomes more difficult to think clearly. You might find it hard to:

• remember words
• understand new information
• make decisions
• concentrate.

For some people, cognitive impairment gets worse slowly over a period of time. For other people, it might be better at some times and worse at others.

Causes of cognitive impairment

Cognitive impairment can be caused by illness, or be a side effect of treatment or medication. It can also be a result of age. It's more common to have difficulty thinking clearly as you get older, but it can affect young people too.

If someone suddenly becomes confused, it can be a symptom of delirium. This is very common in people who are quite ill, and it is usually a sign that they are becoming more unwell.

Cognitive impairment that continues for months or more might be an early sign of dementia. If you are worried about this, speak to your doctor or nurse about it.

Treating cognitive impairment

If you are finding it harder to think clearly, speak to your GP or district nurse. They might be able to do some things to help, such as changing your medication. Speaking to them sooner rather than later can help them to find the right solution for you.

It's not always possible to prevent or treat cognitive impairment. This is because it's not always possible to find what's causing it, or because it might be caused by lots of different things.

Managing cognitive impairment

There are some things you can do to make living with cognitive impairment easier:

• Make lists of things you want or need to do so you don't forget them.
• Do one thing at a time. This means you won't be confused by too many things at once.
• Have a routine and a structure to your day.
• Take your time with what you're doing.
• Use clocks or wear a watch to keep track of the time.
• Use a calendar or diary to keep track of the day or date.
• Use sticky notes to remind you of things you have to do.
• Keep important things, like your purse and keys, in the same place so you know where to find them.
• Arrange to pay your bills by direct debit or standing order if you haven't already done so.

You might be referred to a psychiatrist. These are doctors who deal with memory problems and mental health. Or you might be referred to an occupational therapist. They can help you to find practical ways to help you to live with memory problems.

If you're worried about your confusion or memory problems, you might want to speak to the people who are important to you about what you want to happen in the future. Read about planning your care in advance.

Making decisions about treatment and other things might become more difficult over time. Having these conversations now means you can tell people what you want to happen. This can put your mind at ease.

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