Memory Issues?

I never remember names of people. Have learned over time that it is to do with social anxiety, if I am not focused on the information, I don't retain it.

I too have used writing names down as soon as possible after meeting people.

I was in the military and loved having name tags to look at...the visual aspect of the name on the name tag always helped me remember. Am a visual learner, not an auditory learner, that makes a difference also.

You are absolutely spot on.

There are so many factors in how each individual brain ages that an accurate and reliable test is nearly impossible until a dementia is so far advanced, everyone knows the person for more than a once a year visit to the doctor, what is going on. Those closest to the person will pick up on some issue; or the person themselves will first notice it and compensate - which is usually the case, until the person can no longer think up ways to compensate.

Add on top of that the fact there are so many reasons for onset of memory loss...many which can be fixed, such as medications that cause slow thinking, not enough sleep, diet, STRESS, exercise.

My theory is that the longer we live the MORE files of information input (data) our brains have to process and go through to come up with a thought.

I believe each human brain has a limited capacity to process and wade through all that data and that capacity is very individualized.

Some dementias are related to blood flow to the brain; some dementias are related to a disease process of neurons and neuron chemical connection capabilities; and I truly believe some "dementias" are simply an individual's brain reaching the limits of that individual's data processing speed and accuracy.

A person can not think clearly even when one's blood sugar is too high or low; or they haven't had enough sleep; or don't have the right combination of vitamins and minerals on board due to a poor diet.

Dementia is far from being simple and one size fits all.

Your husband is blessed.

Thank you for your positive response. Sometimes I feel like I am on an island all by myself fighting this battle for my hubby.

I think that memory loss is very common and most often it affects the older generation. I’m 74 now and my memory is very good when I think about the past but sometimes I can’t recall what I was doing a few minutes ago, I agree with writing notes to help me remember and it works. It is hard to believe that the older generation are very blessed but it’s true, what throws us off course is health issues however even the younger generation has the same problems and as for memory problems, they are also having troubles but for them I attribute this to technology, they rely too much on their electronic devices to help them, at the end of the day this is very detrimental to their development, I worry about them and their futures.

That is exactly why I decline the Medicare Annual Wellness Exam. I will not take the memory test. I have watched the change in the way my husband is treated at our internist’s office since his first one 3 years ago. Yes, he was diagnosed with MCI and now has progressed to Dementia, but his doctor was insistent that he needed to stop driving immediately although he was still very competent. Dementia patients should not be lumped all together. They do not all lose their capabilities in the same way. Even now my husband still drives short distances to places he is very comfortable going to around our town. He still drives his tractor. He is a very careful, safety conscious person. His neurologist told me that when I felt it was time for him to stop driving that would be the time to hang up his keys. Had I insisted he stop when his internist thought he should based on a memory test score his life would have stopped having purpose. Yes, every time they give him the memory test his scores have dropped, as expected, but his problem area besides short term memory is communication, finding the words needed to hold a conversation. He is still very capable in many other areas. I have determined after watching him stress out over the annual that I would spare him and myself of that going forward.

For simple daily issues, I suggest:
Pay attention to what your hands are doing, use your eyes!
For example, I walk into the kitchen carrying my coffee mug and set it on the corner of the counter. My hand can do this without looking, and two minutes later I'm trying to find my lost coffee. (Or I'm making another cup!)
But if I take a moment to watch as I put down the coffee, seeing it next to the peanut butter jar, I automatically remember where it is when I want it.
My hands are very smart, but they are a bit too automatic. They do things when I'm not watching.
And interestingly, I often get a simple pleasure from just noticing things...putting the towel on the towel rack, the toothbrush on it's stand, the keys on the key rack...and finding them there when I need them.

I don’t do the wellness exam either. They know my meds, my body.. and I also have adrenal insufficiency so depending on the day I may not do well, and get a label. I haven’t colored my hair since Covid and I surely feel the difference in the way the world treats me!! I often run to grab the door for others and help anyone who needs it. I am young at heart, agile, flexible, and I am beyond grateful to have overcome medical obstacles. We do label each other, don’t we.. all ages. I hope to stay a young 71!