It’s not uncommon to be forgetful. You might misplace your keys or forget the name of an acquaintance, but is this something to be concerned with? According to the journal of Preventing Chronic Disease, one in four people over the age of 45 are concerned about their memories. When should you start being concerned about memory issues and speak with your doctor? Here are some signs that it might be time. Share on X
Memory Problems & Talking with Your Doctor
It’s normal to forget things once in a while, but there is a difference between normal memory loss and memory loss related to Alzheimer’s and related disorders. Serious memory issues can start impacting everyday life and for some older people, memory problems can be a sign of mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or another medical condition. If you or a loved one is experiencing these type of memory issues, you need to go speak with your doctor:
- Repetitive Questioning
- Forgetting or Mixing Up Common Words
- Misplacing Items
- Getting Lost
- Mood Changes & Confusion
- Neglecting Grooming
1) Repetitive Questioning
If you or your loved one has begun asking the same questions over and over and over, it is time to mention this to a doctor.
2) Forgetting or Mixing Up Common Words
While it might be common to forget a word every once in a while, it is not common when it happens continuously. Along with forgetting common words, another sign it’s time to seek medical attention is when you or your loved one keep mixing up words, like saying “bed” instead of “refrigerator”.
3) Misplacing Items
Sometimes people misplace things, but if it begins happening more often, or if things begin to get misplaced in illogical locations (like car keys in the bathroom hamper) it’s time to be concerned.
4) Getting Lost
Getting lost in familiar places or wandering aimlessly are sure signs that you need to discuss what’s happening with your doctor.
5) Mood Changes
If you or a loved one start experiencing mood swings or changes without any apparent reason, you need to be concerned.
ProTip: If you or a loved one seems to get confused about time, people, or places, it could be a sign of early-stage dementia, and you need to discuss it with your doctor.
6) Neglecting Grooming
Another sign it is time to talk to your doctor about memory loss is when someone is not taking care of themselves anymore. Neglecting to groom, forgetting to bath, brush one’s hair, or cleaning up after eating are all signs of more serious memory problems.
Memory Care Communities
It comes down to: If you’re concerned about memory loss, see your doctor. Coming to terms with memory loss and the possible onset of dementia can be difficult, but it needs to be discussed with a doctor to help slow the progression of the disease and to help the person cope with the changes. This might also be the perfect time to consider a memory care community. Memory care reaches beyond the realm of the traditional assisted living. They offer specialized care to allow those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease to live the fullest, safest, and best life possible.
Contact us to learn more information about when to discuss memory loss with your doctor.
