The ManicaPost
IT is hard to find an older person who’s not worried about their memory. Partly that’s because everyone gets a little forgetful as they age. But where does mild forgetfulness end and more serious problems begin? It can sometimes be hard to tell.Not to worry. There are ways to measure how your mental function compares with what is normal and healthy for your age.
Assessing forgetfulness
Do you struggle with certain words? Take longer to learn new skills than you used to? Occasionally misplace things? These are all normal problems related to aging.
However, getting lost in places you know is not normal forgetfulness. Neither is asking the same question over and over. Being confused about people and places isn’t age-related forgetfulness, either. These could all be signs of something more serious like dementia.
Here are other ways to compare:
Money matters. Missing an occasional payment is probably just mild forgetfulness. If you can’t put together and manage a simple budget, that might be a sign of something more serious, like Alzheimer’s disease.
Time. Do you sometimes not remember what day it is, and then it later comes to your mind? That’s normal aging. If you can’t remember the date or even the season, that might be a more serious problem.
Decisions. People with Alzheimer’s tend to use poor judgment and make bad decisions. If you do this once in a while, but not often, there’s probably no reason to worry.
People with early Alzheimer’s might struggle to have a normal conversation. They also lose things often and can’t think things through in order to find them. These can be warning signs that forgetfulness has advanced beyond what’s typical of most people your age.
Getting help
It’s often hard to measure these problems on your own. That’s why seeing your doctor is a good idea if you or your loved ones have any concerns about your memory or forgetfulness.
Your doctor has tests that can pinpoint problems early on. For instance, the doctor may find you have mild cognitive impairment. This is a form of age-related forgetfulness. In some people, it can advance to Alzheimer’s disease. But this doesn’t happen in all cases.
It’s also important to remember that it’s best if Alzheimer’s disease is detected very early on. Carefully watching for warning signs and seeing your doctor are especially important for this reason.
What you can do
If you’re worried about forgetfulness as you age, you can do things to keep your mind sharp. For instance:
Take up a new hobby that will teach you new skills. Perhaps try sewing, knitting or woodworking. It’s like exercise for your brain.
Be more social. You’ll be talkative and active. That keeps your mind limber.
Volunteer or be active at churches or schools. This helps you stay social, work your mind, and stay alert.
Adopt healthy habits for the rest of your body. They can have an impact on your mind, too. For instance, eat nutritious food, get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking, drugs and alcohol. – Online.
