Short-term memory, absolutely appalling….

This generally happens because the brain is young and healthy in earlier years when the memories are made and stored whereas in later years not so much as the brain is older and not so efficient.
I shouldn't worry too much about it unless it is impacting on your everyday activities.

My short term memory is pretty awful. I used to be good with names but now have to write them down (well not actually peoples names: I always make a note of the names of dogs I meet out walking as I know it makes me happy when people make a point of remembering my dogs name). The problem is my long term memory has always been awful and there aren’t many people from my past that can fill in the gaps for me.

What a reassuring thread. I like benign forgetfulness. When I asked me if she was forgetting whether she’d taken her morning regular meds, she said ‘sometimes, but I’ve always been forgetful so I’m not going to worry about it’.
We got her one of those boxes where you store daily drugs. It was no more use than mums memory

ixion

I can't remember the day's Wordle solution almost as soon as I've posted it.

Is it just me?🤔

I’m exactly the same. I have to go back and check it. 😵‍💫

I still work part-time in a high dementia care home and actually love my job…
I see the effects on the people and on their families and it is heartbreaking…..😥

I can't remember the day's Wordle solution almost as soon as I've posted it.

Is it just me?🤔

It’s all to do with the difference between long and short term memory.

Long term memory stays pretty much intact even for those with mild dementia apparently which is why people can remember so much of what happened decades ago yet struggle with recent events.

Nevertheless when our memory lets us down it’s inevitably worrying, even though we are told that a small amount of cognitive decline is normal as we get older.

My theory is that as there is so much talk these days about dementia that it’s inevitable that we will pounce on any small memory failure with alarm.

I remember reading once that occasionally mislaying our keys or glasses is normal, but if we then eventually find them in the fridge, it’s maybe time to worry!

kittylester

Ironically, I am usually in charge of writing name badges for people who come to our monthly Memory Cafe.

That's a bit embarrassing.

Kitty this made me giggle. I’m going with the opinion that if you know about it then it’s not dementia.

Dottydots

I'm so glad I've just read all these comments. It has put my mind at rest. The forgetting of names, etc, didn't really start until I was 80, so I'm a late starter.

I can remember calling my DS by the dog's name and I'd have been a harassed forty year old then!

I'm so glad I've just read all these comments. It has put my mind at rest. The forgetting of names, etc, didn't really start until I was 80, so I'm a late starter.

kittylester

Ironically, I am usually in charge of writing name badges for people who come to our monthly Memory Cafe.

That's a bit embarrassing.

I keep losing mine. Or forgetting to hand it in again.

The person who is in charge of name badges and sending birthday cards in our group never forgets anyone's name and she's three years older than me.

Ironically, I am usually in charge of writing name badges for people who come to our monthly Memory Cafe.

That's a bit embarrassing.

This is so common it seems; we have so much information between our ears that it can take a while to sift through - like an overstuffed filing cabinet. I thought the comforting answer was that if you know you are forgetting, there isn't much to worry about - it's when everyone else is aware of your forgetfullness and you are oblivious. Please, please don't disillusion me, anyone.

You’re not alone…

merlotgran

I’m terrible with names as well.

I met four new people at a U3a group leaders’ meeting yesterday and had to look up their names on the website as soon as I got home.

I was introduced to four new people at a group a couple of weeks ago but could I remember their names two minutes later.
However, I met someone in the supermarket yesterday after many years and immediately recognised him, couldn't remember his name but remembered his DD's name although I hadn't seen her since she was about 4.

I sometimes think our brains get full up and can't take in any more!

Before someone comes along and starts explaining the immense capacity of the human brain - yes I do know! Perhaps we dismiss what we think is unimportant.

I’m terrible with names as well.

I met four new people at a U3a group leaders’ meeting yesterday and had to look up their names on the website as soon as I got home.

Skydancer

It’s why I can’t do a pub quiz. I do know a lot of the answers but only remember them after the host has moved on to other questions.

I'm quite good at shouting the answers at the TV if there's a quiz programme on.

Not so much University Challenge these days, nor Only Connect (although occasionally I do see connections the contestants miss).

It's a comfort to know others are experiencing the same thing. I've had an awful foreboding I'm in early onset dementia. I think the worst thing is not being able to think of the words I want to use or seeing a person in my head, but not being able to think of their name. I did see the doctor and I've has blood tests and a CT scan of my head and they came back ok but she still wants me to go to a memory clinic for further tests. So the fear is still haunting me, or why wouldn't she just tell me not to worry, it's just old age, I'm 67

I email a friend each evening to exchange news of what we've done during the day. I quite often have to think very hard to remember!

Also, I often have to look back through those sent emails to help me what I've done during the week, when emailing other friends.

I suggest keeping a very basic diary and jotting down the main events of the day as they happen: e.g. dentist, parcel from x arrived, y phoned, coffee with z...

Yep, totally recognisable (I'm 76). For me, it's like going through the menopause all over again, only not so bad (yet) and without the libido problems.

I assume that you are concerned about dementia but memory loss is a small part of that. Being unable to reason, follow a plot etc are the worrying things from that point of view really.

My short term memory is shocking too.

Same here😣I had a blood test last week and was asked which arm I wanted, resisting the urge to tell her I liked having two arms I said the left one please and held out my right arm😄

DP says he’s told me things and sometimes I do vaguely remember the conversation and sometimes not.
I told Mum last night that next Tuesday is pancake day, so to make some for lunch and I’ll come round, only to see in my diary that it’s March 4th not Feb 4th.I haven’t decided yet if I’ll tell her, I love pancakes😈

.

Nothing to stop you speaking to your GP, they may be able to give reassurance.

I was always told if you think you have memory loss then you don't! People with dementia don't realise they can't function in the same way and is usually pointed out to them by others.

It’s why I can’t do a pub quiz. I do know a lot of the answers but only remember them after the host has moved on to other questions.

And me! I go to do something, like getting cutlery out of a drawer, only to realise I did it 5 minutes ago! Quite alarming. I’m 77.