What is the term for a decline in mental ability characterized by memory loss and impaired judgment?

The term for a decline in mental ability characterized by memory loss and impaired judgment is dementia. Dementia is a general term that encompasses a variety of conditions that lead to cognitive decline, significantly affecting daily life. It typically involves a progressive deterioration in multiple cognitive domains, including memory, reasoning, and judgment, which can interfere with a person’s ability to carry out everyday tasks.

While Alzheimer's disease is a specific form of dementia and a common cause among the various types of dementia, it does not encompass the broader category. Delirium, on the other hand, refers to an acute, often reversible change in mental status characterized by confusion and disorientation, rather than a progressive decline. Amnesia relates specifically to memory loss but doesn't necessarily imply the broader cognitive impairments associated with dementia. Thus, dementia is the most accurate term for this condition as it captures the overall decline in mental function and its impacts on memory and judgment.