Normal Aging

The older I get, the more often I experience what my patients jokingly refer to as “senior moments.” I unexpectedly run into an acquaintance that I’ve known for years, and am unable to recall their name. My wife sends me to the store to pick up five items, and I come back with four. I’m in the middle of a conversation, and get stuck finding a word that I want to say. And don’t bother asking me where I laid down the checkbook last! I take some solace in having heard similar complaints from my patients over the years, and realize that this is just part of growing older. However, there is also the frightening realization that with age comes an increased risk for developing dementia. The question then is what type of age-related memory problems are considered “normal,” and what might indicate a more serious memory problem that needs medical attention?

During my years of training, I was surprised to learn that our “brain power” peaks out in our early thirties, after which at least some aspects of our thinking ability begin a long slow decline that continues throughout the life span. With regards to memory, highly practiced skills, familiar information, factual knowledge, language, and autobiographical information all endure well over the life span. Where our memory struggles, as we grow older is in our ability to formulate new memories, or our “short term” recall. So, we are more likely to forget recent experiences, new facts, or the sources of new information that we have acquire, and are also more likely to have difficulty remembering information when we need it. These difficulties in memory are part of the “normal” aging process. So, the experience of the following can generally be chalked up to having had another “senior moment” without much concern:

Forgetting names

Misplacing objects (keys, glasses, wallet)

Forgetting where the car is parked at the mall

Forgetting to buy things on the shopping list

Not recognizing acquaintances in unfamiliar settings

Of course, there are other types of memory problems that may indicate a more serious problem. Even if this is the case, there is no need to panic. There are many reversible conditions that can be the culprit of memory problems. These include poor nutrition, dehydration, metabolic disturbances (such as poorly controlled diabetes), endocrine disorders (such as hypothyroidism), sleep disorders, depression, drug side effects, and other medical conditions. Even if it is determined that early Alzheimer’s disease appears to be the culprit, there are new medications that can help - particularly if the disorder is detected early. The more serious type of memory problems that should be further evaluated include:

Getting lost while driving in familiar surroundings

Completely forgetting appointments

Repeating the same thing in conversation

Having periods of disorientation (not knowing the time or where one is)

Difficulty managing the checkbook or paying bills

Personality change (either sudden or gradual)

Frequently having difficulty thinking of the word to say or naming objects

Experiencing a sudden change in musical or artistic ability

Memory problems that are interfering with your conducting your normal routine.
If you are experiencing any of these more serious memory problems, consult your doctor for a thorough physical examination and a review of your medications. If the cause of your memory problem is not found, seek a referral to a neurologist for a thorough neurological evaluation. This will likely include taking some pictures of your brain (a CT scan or MRI) and a referral for a neuropsychological evaluation to get a detailed analysis of your memory functioning and other cognitive abilities. There are many causes of memory problems, and many options available for addressing them. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory problems that appear to be beyond “normal”, talk to your doctor today.