Is it just old age ....

I've done most of the things described on this thread and lost count of the number of burnt pans!!

I have car keys and house keys on separate rings with a spare house key hidden in the (unlocked) garage and a spare car key in the house. Should be foolproof except when DS left the key in the door and I couldn't use the spare!

tiredoldwoman My 8 year old DGS was greatly impressed at the number of questions I could answer on University Challenge last week. "Nana answered the questions and I didn't even know what they were talking about!"

His Dad answers more questions on "The Chase" so I told him that only involves watching lots of TV, Films, Sport or listening to pop music. University Challenge is about what you have learned in literature, music, Science etc and is for really clever people! #smug !

I am going to read the whole of this thread tomorrow. Fortunately I used to forget people's names (even when I was seeing them one a week in a professional capacity) since I was in my 30s, so I don't worry about everything I can't remember.. But when I stopped HRT in my early 50s I noticed an immediate change. I could describe certain things (it didn't happen too often thankfully) but not name them. An example would be that I would try to say something and part of the info wouldn't come to mind. I'd say the president of Iraq, the one they found in the hole and killed. Couldn't get Sadam Hussein. I was really upset.

Now if that happens I either go through the alphabet to jog my memory or think sod it it's not that important. I think it's just a normal part of getting older, something the hrt was delaying.

My DD is always ribbing me for telling her a joke or story that I may have told her before - she says that it's an irritating habit that older people suffer from. I could accept her remarks with equanimity if she didn't do exactly the same thing herself - and she's only 28!

Damn that auto correct! Post-it notes!

Seriously, (I don't want my last post to sound flippant if you're seriously worried) if you know you're forgetting things you can use strategies to address the problem. Make lists, leave yourself plug-in notes etc. Stress is often to blame and we don't always realise we're stressed. I try to go through a mental checklist before leaving the house so I don't forget my purse and phone. My house keys are on the same ring as my car keys so I can't lock myself out.

Apparently, if you know you forget things, you're OK. If you don't know you forget things, you don't know you don't know...err...I think that's right...If I'm confused and I know I'm confused....

POGS I think your DH is very forgiving, mine would be outraged if the promised bacon sarnie didn't show up.

I gave my hubby a cheese sandwich for lunch and he said "Oh, OK then". I asked why he said that and he replied "Well it was only 15 minutes ago you asked me if I wanted a bacon sandwich and I didn't think I smelt it cooking".

I do that sort of thing all the time. The jury is out as to whether it is old age or going daft !

I struggle to finish my sentences much to DH's annoyance. But there is hope for me as DH killed the computer this morning and I gave it the kiss of life.

Nonnie I almost posted an identical post to you, especially the first sentence, but have had to take an important phone call and decided to come back to it later.

I think the threat of possible Alzhiemers scares us all as we hear about it more frequently. We used to be more forgiving of older people forgetting the odd word or what they were going to say. I suppose at 72 with DH only a week older we are the older people now. I don't like it and stress definitely makes it worse.

I feel so much better after reading all this! I don't lose things like DH but that is probably because I have always had a place for things and put them in that place. DH just puts things down anywhere so no wonder he can't find them later.

I do find that I can't find the word I am looking for quite often though but it always comes eventually, perhaps just as I am describing it to DH and then it comes to me.

Anya - that is my fear - setting fire to the house. I am beginning to worry as OH is not much better.

This morning I put the washing on without any powder. I had it ready just didn't put it in, had to start again.

I do work part-time and I am known for being able to find things but that is because I work it out logically.

Hopefully I can get into a routine of checking things.

Putting Vagisil Cream up my nose instead of the prescription nose cream that should have gone up there...!

And between us, DH and I managed to set the house on fire in October. We're still in rented accommodation.

Don't talk about keys. I recently left mine (car keys and all) in the front door overnight. On the outside that is. With the car parked right out front.

It is such a boon being able to phone my DHs phone when he looses it ( he would ditch it for ever if he could ).

I just wish I could rings his keys, his slippers and the remote control.

I make a point of leaving my car keys in the same place each time after I have used them. Ditto with my door keys and handbag- they are placed in the same spot or I would never get out of the house.

I had a badly burned pan once so now I check each knob including the oven after I have finished cooking and before I switch the kitchen light off. I try to have a routine for everything and then I am less likely to lose items, with the exception of paper work.

My bod is wearing out more than my mind. I'm still quite good at remembering. except for where I put my new face cream.

I find myself day dreaming and getting lost in music a lot more now that I'm not a work and that means I am unfocused most of the time so therefore I forget things - I make lists and leave reminders on the laptop to try to stop me forgetting my own head.

May I join this club please??? My hubby & I often ask the Alzheimers question but then comfort ourselves that so many of the younger people we know seem to do the same things as we do. I really do think that life is just busier now ( even though I am 'retired' ). I was reading one of Maeve Haran's terrific novels this week and was much amused to read a bout a character in the book who couldn't remember what a fork was called; his doctor said "come back when you forget what you do with it". I haven't got there yet so guess I'm ok after all.

I've just sent off for a retractable key ring with a clip to attach it to my bag. Enough said!

Thank goodness we're all going loop the loop together . I've been doing all those things lately and now have semi given up the battle with University Challenge - my recall is slow and Jeremy Paxman isn't patient with me !! I now prefer quizzes where's there's a choice of 3 answers , I score high on those programmes !
I'm going to up my water intake, too , Loopylou !

I'm not sure if with me it is menopause. I seem to lose a variety of things and don't start me about keys! I keep a diary because if I didn't I don't think I would be anywhere or mind to keep appointments. I even begin to say things and then the memory of what I wanted to speak about just goes in a flash. I then tend to text the person later when I have remembered what it is about.

MiniMouse yes, multitasking, that is clearly 'it'!

I sometimes wonder if it's more a case of not registering things in the first place, rather than forgetting? We do things on autopilot - and of course all that multitasking takes its toll