Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Forgetfulness.

(64 Posts)
NanKate Wed 15-Apr-26 20:21:30

Do you ever go upstairs for something and completely forget what it was, and then it jumps back into your mind later ?

FranP Thu 16-Apr-26 14:15:50

All of the above, plus the vast increase in my faulty names brain

Wyllow3 Thu 16-Apr-26 14:09:32

All the time.

I'll go upstairs for X, forget, do Y instead and a bit of tidying, puzzled, maybe use the loo, come back down, realise what it was, go back up...

Excellent exercise, I don't mind unless I'm in a rush.

Now, names - hopeless. I can recall all sorts of details about a person, their family, favourite food, holidays, and so on, but their name - why their name?
Trying to think back to when I was much younger but

...cant remember....I think it was always difficult.

There must be a syndrome or something.

missdeke Thu 16-Apr-26 14:03:38

I don't go upstairs and forget bacause I live in a bungalow, but I can forget what I want if I go to the other side of my small kitchen.

Norah Thu 16-Apr-26 13:55:38

NanKate

Do you ever go upstairs for something and completely forget what it was, and then it jumps back into your mind later ?

Yes.

RobertaDanversWalker Thu 16-Apr-26 13:53:50

I can't remember why I've come upstairs, but am word perfect on tons of songs from the 60s!

Hufferlump Thu 16-Apr-26 13:52:53

I was told we forget things because we aren't really concentrating on it exclusively at the time so it doesn't really 'go in'. Also forgetting names for things and people is normal its if we can't remember who the person is etc. I was worried because I tried doing crosswords and failed miserably. I then thought about it and I was useless at them in my 20s so it wasn't a sign.

handbaghoarder Thu 16-Apr-26 13:52:04

Our lovely postman came to the door yesterday to collect a returns parcel. I said there must be a mistake as no parcel, so off he went, printed label in hand Walked through dining room and parcel was on the table - I had organised collection 3 days earlier and totally forgotten 🙈. He came back for it today whilst I hid out of the way. Oh dear.

Basgetti Thu 16-Apr-26 10:52:08

Yes, since my 30s after our first child was born. 61 now, with all of my marbles intact. Think it’s pretty normal (misplaced car keys, too).

grumppa Thu 16-Apr-26 10:02:56

All of the above.

Cossy Thu 16-Apr-26 09:36:17

Curlywhirly

Does anybody have trouble temembering words? Last week I couldn't for the life of me remember what an egg timer was called! Mind you DH is no better, the times we now have to help each other find those elusive words is getting rather too frequent 🥺

Sadly, constantly, I simply stop and try and festive the word I’m looking for and my family and close friends guess til they get the word! I really don’t like it!

GrannyGravy13 Thu 16-Apr-26 09:31:33

It happens to DH’s as well.

Mine had one job, pick up two of our children and their little friend from an after school party.

He came back with our two, not the third, he wasn’t impressed with having to do the 1 hour 30 minute round trip again.

Greyduster Thu 16-Apr-26 08:49:59

I do it a lot and did it this morning when I went downstairs to get something and couldn’t remember what it was. I remembered when back in the landing. But if you were to ask me now what the item in question was, I couldn’t tell you for the life of me!! I frequently get into the car and drive off only to realise I am still wearing my carpet slippers.

teabagwoman Thu 16-Apr-26 08:29:49

This is a very reassuring thread! My problem is that by the time I remember the answer I can’t remember what the question was.

V3ra Thu 16-Apr-26 08:28:47

Cossy

Constantly! Worse than that I’ll be driving along the road and forget where I’m going!

Driving to pick a minded child up from school I turned the wrong way at a T junction, had to go to the roundabout and do the full circle to get back on track.

The other children in the car were absolutely delighted and for weeks afterwards reminded me:
"V3ra do you remember the time you went the wrong way and we had to go all the way round?!" 😃😃😃
I imagine their parents heard all about it as well 🙄

TerriBull Thu 16-Apr-26 08:21:07

I'm another! Brain overload that's my excuse..

At least this thread goes to show it's not unusual!

Bellasnana Thu 16-Apr-26 08:17:18

I don’t have an upstairs but I am becoming terribly forgetful and often go from one room to another but can’t remember what I went for, It’s quite worrying at times.

Iam64 Thu 16-Apr-26 08:13:17

Yes

harrigran Thu 16-Apr-26 08:03:58

Happens to me all the time.
I have notepads all round the house and jot down things that are important. My desk has the largest pile of notes relating to tasks I must do on the computer

Marydoll Thu 16-Apr-26 07:55:18

When DH was admitted to hospital last week, he was asked the usual questions, date, year, Prime Minister etc.
He remembered them all very clearly.
Thank goodness, I wasn't the patient, I would have failed miserably. It is quite concerning.

NanKate Thu 16-Apr-26 07:14:08

I like you positive thinking kitty.

I write lists Marydoll 😀Best of luck with getting through to the Doctor. Do you remember the far off days when doctors visited your home?

VANECAM Wed 15-Apr-26 23:22:00

Sorry, what was the question again?

Gran22boys Wed 15-Apr-26 23:13:41

Yes Curly. It’s happening to me a lot.

Curlywhirly Wed 15-Apr-26 22:44:46

Does anybody have trouble temembering words? Last week I couldn't for the life of me remember what an egg timer was called! Mind you DH is no better, the times we now have to help each other find those elusive words is getting rather too frequent 🥺

Gran22boys Wed 15-Apr-26 21:57:58

That’s why we don’t do pub quizzes any more. We can only think of the answers hours or days later.

Gwyllt Wed 15-Apr-26 21:06:12

Whilst relaxing in a bath the things you can’t remember often pop up when you are not thinking about them