You’re telling a story and feeling the joy as you look into the eyes of those around you …and then the word you’re about to use is somehow out of reach. Uh…pause …um … If you’re like me, it happens. I’m not afraid to admit this deficit occurs. I substitute another noun in its place and move on. I recognize that this is a symptom of aging. Like other organs, the human brain changes with age in both its physical structures and its ability to carry out various functions. Our brains are responsible for cognition, a term that includes memory, decision-making, processing speed, wisdom and learning. As we age, these functions change – a process called cognitive aging. Cognitive aging is not a disease; instead, it is a process that occurs in every individual, beginning at birth and continuing throughout their life span.