A patient who is elderly, forgetful and experiencing loss of cognitive and language skills might have a diagnosis of?

The diagnosis that best fits an elderly patient who is forgetful and experiencing loss of cognitive and language skills is dementia. Dementia is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, communication abilities, and reasoning skills severe enough to interfere with daily life.

In addition to forgetfulness and communication difficulties, patients with dementia might exhibit changes in personality, difficulty with problem-solving, and challenges with performing routine tasks. These cognitive challenges are progressive and lead to a significant impairment in functioning.

Alzheimer's disease is a specific type of dementia and could also be considered, but it would be characterized more distinctly by memory loss that disrupts daily life along with confusion and disorientation, potentially manifesting as Alzheimer’s over time. In this instance, the broader category of dementia is more appropriate, considering it encompasses various types of cognitive decline rather than specifying one particular cause.

Beneficiar is not a recognized medical term related to cognitive decline or mental health, and while depression can lead to cognitive symptoms, it is not primarily characterized by the same progressive memory and cognitive functions loss typically associated with dementia. Therefore, dementia remains the most accurate diagnosis in this scenario.