On December 19, 2025, University Medical Center of El Paso’s (UMC) geriatricians, Dr. Jose Luis Aguirre and Dr. Emmanuel Enriquez, joined the El Paso Medical Society’s El Paso Physician program to discuss an important topic affecting many families in our community: dementia.
As specialists in the care of older adults, Dr. Aguirre and Dr. Enriquez highlighted the importance of recognizing dementia symptoms early and understanding the treatment options available. During the program, they answered common questions caregivers often have, providing valuable information to help families navigate the challenges of caring for loved ones with memory loss or cognitive decline.
How to Spot Early Signs of Dementia
Here’s a brief checklist of common early symptoms, based on guidance from the Alzheimer’s Association:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life, such as forgetting recently learned information or important dates.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks, like following a recipe or using everyday appliances.
- Problems with language, including forgetting simple words or substituting unusual words, making speech hard to understand.
- Disorientation in time and place, such as getting lost in a familiar area or forgetting how one arrived there.
UMC’s geriatricians remain committed to delivering specialized, compassionate care tailored to the needs of older adult patients in El Paso.
To watch the full program and learn more, visit: pbs.org/show/el-paso-physician
