A former blogger told me something like this quite awhile ago when I mentioned temporarily fumbling for words.
But losing words or numbers temporarily can induce anxiety. A few days ago, I fumbled with remembering the code to get into my financial spreadsheet. It was frustrating. I left the room and then soon remembered. I can tell you that it was a relief. I can also tell you that I know the number right now. Finally, I can tell you that it is also comforting that I can recall the whole incident in detail.
I also have two sixteen-digit codes more or less in my head to access banking information online. Every now and then I momentarily fumble for the starting digits, but once they lock into place, I am set.
So, we worry a little bit about whether this is normal aging or the onset of true and actual dementia. I suppose any diminution of mental processes indicates some level of dementia, but I guess there is normal slowing and the more concerning level. At least we hope so
Following is a chart that may give us some comfort. (Click to embiggen.)
I may be getting worse on the red side, but on the red side I am, I am. Praise and glory be.
How about thou?
I don't know if Dementia runs in families like Diabetes and some other conditions but thankfully Dementia is not something that does in mine. And sometimes I think we can worry about things and the worry itself can cause us to perhaps forget.
ReplyDeleteI hopefully have increased my odds by trusting all my passwords and codes to a password manager. All I need to remember is one single phrase and I can access all my accounts which have random passwords of many numbers, letters and characters strung in non-sensical order. That takes a lot of the pressure off memorizing or recalling things.
ReplyDeleteI'm still in the red. My biggest purple is putting things in safe places (usually if I'm going to travel or won't need something for a long time). I should just write it down! I don't think we have a family history of it, so at least that's a plus!
ReplyDeleteOne of the traps of this kind of listing is that often the person doesn't realize they're lost, repeating questions, etc. This is really a list for family members.
ReplyDeleteI got one of those little booklets where you write your passwords down, similar to an address booklet. So many spots want it changed so often. If we ignore my booklet, I think I'm still on the red side of your chart. Linda in Kansas; where's Toto?
ReplyDeleteI queried the conversation point with a gerontologist once - what he said basically put it on the red side. Constantly repeating things could be purple…..but as Boud mentioned many of those who are affected aren’t likely to notice the changes
ReplyDeleteThis year I have noticed I have trouble remembering words. I sometimes don't remember my phone number, but it does come back. Spelling is also suffering but I attribute this to spell correction.
ReplyDeleteHaving at least one blood relation who had dementia (due to strokes) and several others in the family with Alzheimers, I've seen how devastating a condition it can be. Of course we all worry about it. My windows in the car being down in the rain were a normal - any age can do it - kind of forgetfulness. However, even putting things on my phone calendar, I often get mixed up as to what I should be doing each day. I'm a reddish purple I think, or purple-ish red!
ReplyDeleteScary stuff indeed.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the red but I'm thinking of a politician (if you can call him that) who is definitely in the purple. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteI worry too, about forgetfulness. Being in the red column is a relief. *Forgetting passwords is anxiety causing, especially with your finances!
ReplyDeleteAt the ripe young age of 73 yrs I am firmly entrenched in the red zone. My dear old Dad was very close to 100 yrs and frequently frustrated with his ability to remember mundane things on occasion. I used to tell him his hard drive was too full and the best way to clear the memory was to take a drive. Worked a charm. He would tell stories the whole afternoon.
ReplyDeleteMy MIL was definitely in the Purple zone. She put her frozen pizza and ice cream in the oven to preserve them when her fridge died, tossed her diapers in the shower to get them out of sight. Eww, I found them, but discovered she was under the impression she showered daily.
ReplyDeleteAnyway.
I always set something down because I see something else I have to do and then have to figure out what I was doing.
Like an ADHD adult! I get sidetracked easily. Is there a column for that?
So far, so good! I am glad that forgetting is not a true sign, because I occasionally do that. I usually always remember though.
ReplyDeleteIf someone was in the purple, wouldn't they forget to write this down? Ergo, anyone who doesn't respond to this is......lol.
ReplyDeleteForgetting anything rings an alarm for me. I think I’m ok for now though…
ReplyDeleteThis is quite an interesting chart you put forward. I gonna think about it
ReplyDeleteI fumble. I fumble a lot but I don't worry. I worry about a driving error more than anything.
ReplyDeleteI'm on the left with you.
ReplyDeleteStill in the red
ReplyDeleteGood memory, shaky knees.
When we turn 65 here in United States they give you annual memory test. I past mine.
ReplyDeleteWe worry too much!
ReplyDeleteThat is a reassuring chart!
ReplyDelete