As we grow older it is normal for some changes to occur in our memory and thinking. Physical changes occur in our brains as we age, including some lost of brain cells and the connections between them. However, memory issues become a problem if they significantly disrupt your everyday life.
According to Dementia Australia there is a difference between memory loss as a part of normal ageing and as a symptom of dementia.
Although many factors may affect memory loss, and many of these may not be related to dementia such as stress, anxiety, pain, grief, some medications and fatigue, other medical conditions such as hormone changes, nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, depression, liver or kidney disease and sensory loss, it is important to take action when becoming forgetful is a habit.
When should you worry about your memory
Memory-related changes that disrupt daily life are not a typical part of ageing. If you are experiencing these kinds of difficulties more frequently then it's time to take it seriously:
Repeatedly misplacing things
Finding car keys in the freezer, the remote in the drawer, routinely discovering other "missing" items in strange spots and constantly misplacing them is usually a strong indicator of memory loss.
Trouble remembering recent events and trouble remembering day and date
When you struggle to remember the name of a family member you see every week or having trouble in remembering the recent happenings in your life this can be a sign of a memory lapse.
Difficulty in remembering how to do things or remembering familiar routes
Difficulty performing simple tasks such as paying bills, dressing appropriately, washing up or forgetting how to do things you’ve done many times or getting lost or disoriented even in familiar places; unable to follow directions can be a sign of an early dementia.
Difficulty thinking through problems
People with early signs of dementia may have difficulty solving problems and controlling their emotions. They may experience personality changes, agitation, delusions or hallucinations.
Difficulty following conversations
A person with memory loss may have trouble in holding a conversation and may frequently forget, misuse or garble word or repeat phrases and stories in the same conversation.
Difficulty handling financial matters
Making poor judgments and decisions a lot of the time and having problems in taking care of the monthly bills is not a normal sign of ageing.
Visit your doctor
It’s time to consult a doctor when memory lapses become frequent enough or sufficiently noticeable to concern you or a family member.
When visiting the doctor take a list of your concerns with you as this will provide a useful basis for further discussion and tests. Tell the doctor about your concerns openly and honestly, including how long you have been experiencing these problems and whether they have become more of an issue over time.
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