Is it Normal Aging?
It is normal to forget things once in a while. But how can you know if your memory problems are due to a serious condition?
NORMAL AGING | NOT NORMAL AGING |
|---|---|
| Forgets names momentarily | Forgets their child’s name |
| Makes an occasional error in their checkbook | Has trouble with familiar recipes or monthly bills |
| Forgets appointments or events, remembers later | Forgets important dates or events |
| Occasionally needs help with the microwave | Has trouble driving to familiar locations |
| Momentarily confused about the day of the week | Loses track of dates, seasons and passage of time |
| Vision changes due to cataracts | Has difficulty with reading, judging distance, or colors |
| Struggles finding the right word, but remembers later | Calls familiar things by the wrong name |
| Sometimes misplaces things such as glasses | Puts things in unusual places, such as keys in the fridge |
| Sometimes makes bad purchasing decisions | Shows exceptionally poor judgment with money |
| Weary of work, family, social obligations | Withdraws from hobbies, social events or sports |
| Irritable when a routine is disrupted | Shows extreme anxiety or anger with change of routine |
| Forgets conversations | Asks for the same information over and over |
| Thinks things through slowly | Has trouble following or joining a conversation |
| Forgets why they went into a room, but then remembers | Doesn’t recognize familiar places |
| Able to recall an incidence of forgetfulness | Doesn’t remember incidence of memory loss |
| Worries about memory, but no one else does | Relatives worry about memory loss |