Distinguishing Forgetfulness From Memory Problems

Blog Category: Health

As we age, we might not be as sharp in the mind as we once were. While this is a normal part of aging, memory loss, like dementia and Alzheimer’s, is also common for older adults. Before making conclusions, you’ll want to research and ask a medical professional what you or your loved one may be experiencing. Here are some pointers to distinguish forgetfulness from memory problems.

Forgetfulness

Forgetfulness is when you occasionally have a mishap in memory, like difficulty finding the right word or briefly misplacing your keys. We often have a good understanding of a severe form of memory loss, but it can be difficult to grasp forgetfulness, which can appear in multiple ways, such as:

  • Absentmindedness: Oftentimes, when we aren’t paying enough attention, we’ll lose sight of very small and simple things, like where we left our phone or if we locked the door.
  • Biased Understandings and Suggestibility: Our biases, beliefs, knowledge, and personality can alter our perception of reality based on how we personally see things, which can then alter how we remember things. We can be susceptible to suggestive thoughts and memories that others have placed before us, affecting the information we recall, whether or not it’s what we really experienced.
  • Memory Blocks: We’ve all experienced the inability to answer a question even though it’s right on the tip of our tongue. It can grow more difficult to retrieve these blocked memories as we get older, like recalling someone’s name you know.
  • Misattribution: This is when you remember a detail or two inaccurately, even though the rest of the memory is correct. It’s not because you’re a liar; it’s because our memories age with us. As we store more information over the years, there’s bound to be a crossover between personal memory and something you read or heard.
  • Transience: If we aren’t recalling a certain piece of information frequently or immediately after acquiring it, our brain is likely to empty some of the details. It’s ultimately helpful for us not to remember everything; otherwise, our minds would be overwhelmed with information. But it can still make things challenging when recalling a particular experience.

Memory Loss

Memory loss is chronic forgetfulness where the person consistently gets confused, lost, misplacing items, forgetting important dates, or struggling to converse. There are two types of memory loss: Acute Memory Loss and Progressive Memory Loss.

Acute Memory Loss or Amnesia is brought on by a condition that disrupts or damages how parts of your brain work, such as:

  • Alcohol-related blackouts
  • Aneurysms
  • Brain surgeries or procedures
  • Cancer treatment
  • Delirium
  • Environmental toxins
  • Infections
  • Medications and nonmedical drug use
  • Migraines
  • Mood disorders
  • Psychosis
  • Seizures and strokes
  • Traumatic events

Progressive Memory Loss is a symptom of degenerative brain disease. This form of memory loss happens over time due to disruptions in brain activity and occurs with conditions like:

In Summary

When someone experiences forgetfulness, you won’t instinctively worry about them and their ability to continue living independently. With memory loss, however, the consistent concerning behaviors will leave you wondering if they can go on living alone safely. Forgetting to take important medication, tend to daily tasks, make regular payments, and take care of yourself with meals and personal hygiene are major causes for concern.

Learn more about your options for memory care with individualized resources based on your needs through our 5-minute survey powered by Roobrik here.

At Life Enriching Communities (LEC), we’re committed to ensuring patrons feel well-equipped to plan their future and age how they wish. Explore more resources on senior living or contact us today to learn more about our legacy of services and programs that bring meaning and purpose to every stage of life.