Nancy Oriola is the CEO of Aging Life Network where she launches resources for families caring for aging loved ones. As an elder care professional, one of the most common questions Nancy Oriola is asked is the difference between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.

Dementia is a syndrome characterized by impairments in a person’s cognitive skills such as memory and thinking, and functioning skills such as eating, walking, and dressing up. It is also associated with mood and behavioral changes. Dementia is caused by the gradual death of brain cells in important areas of the brain. Because of its cognitive and functional effects, some of the symptoms of dementia include speech problems, memory loss, disorientation, thinking difficulties, and personality changes. There are many different types of dementia, with Alzheimer’s being the most common.

MCI is not dementia. MCI is a syndrome characterized by a noticeable decrease in cognitive functioning. The decrease, however, is not significant enough to interfere with normal life activities. While dementia affects cognition, behavior, and functionality, MCI only affects cognition. A person with MCI can perform normal activities such as eating and walking. However, research has found that people with MCI are at an increased risk of developing dementia.