Ask Miriam – November 2018
Dear Miriam,
I’m in my late 60s and pretty good health, but, lately I’m noticing how forgetful I’m becoming. My children keep telling me to see a doctor, but I feel fine and am sure it’s just signs of my old age (ha ha!). Should I be worried at all?
Bailey
Dear Bailey,
I’m so glad you asked this question because it’s a very common concern as people get older. A couple things I want to clarify:
- Not all memory loss is necessarily dementia. Memory loss can be caused by several things, some of which are treatable.
- There’s a difference between memory changes that come with aging and memory changes because of a dementia. With dementia, you may not be able to recall the information you’re looking for or forget not just the name for an object but also its use. And dementia-related memory loss is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as confusion or difficulty following a conversation.
So, to answer your question: Should you be worried? Not necessarily. But you should talk to a doctor and share some of the changes you’re noticing. It can be helpful to write them down, and to have one of your children accompany you (it’ll make them feel better, too!). And if it is dementia, give our Helpline a call and we’ll help you start planning your next steps: 844-435-7259.