What does dementia primarily affect in an individual?

Dementia primarily impacts cognitive abilities and memory, which is why the correct answer is cognitive ability or memory. This neurodegenerative condition leads to a decline in various cognitive functions, including memory, problem-solving, and reasoning skills. Individuals with dementia often experience difficulty in remembering recent events, recognizing familiar people, or performing tasks that require planning and organization.

While dementia can have secondary effects on physical strength, social interactions, and emotional stability, these are typically a result of the primary cognitive decline rather than direct effects of the condition itself. For example, individuals may withdraw socially because they struggle to communicate effectively or feel embarrassed about their memory lapses. However, the foundation of dementia's impact lies in its ability to compromise cognitive functioning and memory first, leading to downstream effects in other areas of life.