Memory Issues?

Hi, Slarsen,

My memory works a lot like yours. I remember what matters to me and lots of other stuff slips away.
For example, I retired as a piano technician 5 years ago and I am gradually many of the odd details I picked up during my career. But I remember very well the details of music that I'm currently working on, and often details of related music from many years ago. It seems I remember in "clusters" of activities, situations and details. If a cluster is no longer active, the details fade and it can take much longer for a memory to rise up.
But this doesn't bother me, it doesn't interfere with things I'm doing.

I'd suggest something for you: If it's not bothering you, don't worry about it.

(I should add that my wife is not always happy about my memory of things and people that matter to her, such as her college friends whom I met once 14 years ago. Such is marriage!)

I choose to keep my memories that are relevant to myself and my family. Getting older doesn't mean you do not have good and bad memories. Well said. Something to think about. Thank you!

Same here! I have never had a good memory and I notice it more now, at 73. Have you had cognitive testing? That could “set your mind at ease.” I have had it done twice and have been deemed average. So I try not to worry about it as much as I once did.

Hi,
Whatever works for you, you should continue doing. We are all different. Memory problems don't always happen with getting older. I used to forget things in my 20's. I'm currently 79 and still forget things. I find that it helps if I write things down and keep a list of things I want to remember or do. Recently, I kept forgetting the names of my new next door neighbors. It was getting embarrassing asking them again what their names were every time I saw them. They were very nice about it. I wrote their names down and looked at the written list before I visited them. It helped a lot! I now have their names memorized.
PML

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.

Although I am a gerontologist and advocate cognitive testing, I won't have it done for me because I do not want it on my medical records - anywhere.

I know from my experience in the geri field that medical providers, especially those who are less educated in memory and aging issues, will AUTOMATICALLY label an older person and then we are treated by that assumptive label - they tend to stop taking you seriously and brush everything off as "cognitive decline".

It falls into mental health status and the stigmata for mental health issues is nearly as bad as the stigmata issues as we age.

Absolutely true advice

You are so right. I hate stereotypes..especially when it is with older individuals like myself. I was taught to treat others as well as I would want to be treated. I think some people like investing their time in social media, what they are interested in and are not flexible. To me that is boring. I like to do a variety of things. Read, cook , go outdoors or just talk with my husband. I have taken him on four trips in the last two year's. ❣️🫂

Oh my ! I had my testing done at Mayo - Rochester and I trust them 100 percent!

Thank you for your wise council. I will be 82 in November and I forget things too. But I seem to remember the important stuff. My encouragement to all is to be blessed and remember “some will miss the privilege of aging”.