Short-term memory, absolutely appalling….

Tiley, I'm really shocked by your story. Thank you for the words of caution.
A dear friend suffers from short-term memory loss. It causes her a lot of anxiety. For instance, she will ask me several times during a visit, "Where's my phone?". She is still driving (!) but forgot to come to lunch with me a few weeks ago, although we had spoken the evening before.
But she remembers our schooldays clearly and was playing her violin in the local amateur orchestra until a few months ago. I dread losing her to dementia, but I think it is happening.

We have permanent name badges at our Memory Cafe and carers group, I bought a badge machine, it is cheap and easy to make them.

*lost not list

My best friend had early onset dementia in her 50s - believe me it’s so much more than age related forgetfulness. There were lots of other indicators. I am comforted that I have made it to 69 with just the odd lapse in the areas everyone else has already mentioned here. My hubby and I are both the same ……… we spend many a happy hour searching for list glasses, keys or trying to recall a persons name. We laugh about it most of the time but I do understand the concerns. This discussion is so helpful! We are all in it together! X 😊

😂🤣

I was visiting a client who needs support with his daily living, I’d made him a mug of tea which had gone cold, I said to him “do you want me to heat it up in the tumble drier!!!!” Luckily I realised what I’d said straight away, and he replied “No I’d rather you heat it up in the microwave”🤣🤣it made him have a good laugh.
I think I was just thinking of too many things at once.

My last message was in reply to Shinamae

Iam64

Same - I’m 75 and so far decided I’m doing fine

I think most, if not all, of the people our age are the same. I know I am (79).
Don’t let it worry you.
I keep one of those ‘week to two pages’ A4 diaries on the kitchen worktop. All appts, birthdays, medicine collections etc go in there. It works for me.

Her username says it all 😂

wibblywobblywobblebottom

It's called Alzheimers.

On what have you based this diagnosis?

wibblywobblywobblebottom

It's called Alzheimers.

I'm sure that has made everyone on here feel better - thank you so much.

It's called Alzheimers.

I'm 72 and have started to forget things short term - why I went into a particular room for example.
A friend of the same age has short term memory loss and it does worry her terribly. Her long term memory is fantastic though and I rely on her as I frequently forget things that happened a long time ago.

I think it's par for the course as we get older.

missdeke

I go to the other side of my (small) kitchen and forget what I've gone for. Most of my friends are the same. It's just a general old age thing.

Missdeke, I’m so relieved to read this!

Are you sure you are drinking enough fluids in the course of the day? Dehydration can affect memory.

Or are you thinking of too many things at the same time?

Both of the above result in me being unable to find the glasses I have just taken off, my keys or my phone.

Not remembering names is slightly different - I find they do tend to come back if I stop fussing about the gap in my memory.

The French have pancakes on 2 February to celebrate Candlemas so go for it! Why not?

I go to the other side of my (small) kitchen and forget what I've gone for. Most of my friends are the same. It's just a general old age thing.

my husband has short term memory loss and was assessed by a memory nurse a few weeks ago. the decision is he has a low chance of dementia at this stage but no solution offered for the actual problem .

I’m the same - but I take heart from something I read a while ago (and still remember!) can’t remember where I read it but it said “ if you realise you’re forgetting things then you don’t have a problem”
I don’t know if this is true but - I’m 72 and getting more forgetful - but I don’t worry about it - because I know I’m doing it!

Me too Shinamae. I put everything on my calendar that will fit in the little boxes. My daughter is always checking up on me - oven on/off - heating on/off - front and back door latches on at night. I'm grateful, but it must be a nuisance for her I think. She won't say. My son regularly gives me general knowledge quizzes from his mobile phone. I'm tooembarrassed to ask if he's checking my brains out. When my grandchild visits I have the best fun though because she is only nearly 3 years young and her absolute passion is singing. I join in with songs from 'The Jungle Book' and 'Pinnochio' etc ones that I loved as a child. She is such a tonic.

A doctor told me that if you forget a name or place but can remember it eventually without prompts, then you're ok!! I'm hanging onto that.

DH says he envies me because I can watch TV series or films and not remember them until the last scene, then I say "Oh yes, I remember this now"! I've watched Game of Thrones 3 times and still couldn't tell you the stories. And books - I really only need a few in my library because I read them as if for the first time

Allira
My attitude to the matter too.