What does dementia primarily affect?

Dementia is characterized as a decline in cognitive function that is severe enough to interfere with daily life and activities. The primary aspect that dementia affects is memory, but it also impacts at least one other cognitive function, such as language, reasoning, problem-solving, or the ability to perform familiar tasks. This cognitive decline is not limited to memory alone; individuals with dementia often face challenges with attention, judgment, and spatial awareness as well.

While emotional regulation can be affected by this decline, it does not encompass the primary cognitive impairments associated with dementia. The intellectual capabilities and sensory perception may be influenced as a secondary effect, but they are not the core symptoms of dementia in the same way that memory and other cognitive functions are. Additionally, while physical mobility and coordination can be compromised in some individuals with dementia, these are not the primary effects of the condition. Therefore, the most accurate description of dementia’s impact involves memory along with other cognitive functions, making that choice the most appropriate.