Mary sometimes walks into a room and forgets why she went there. Joe occasionally forgets where he left the car keys. Are Mary and Joe’s memory problems serious or a normal part of aging? Let’s talk about how memory changes with age.
Aging and Memory Changes
It may take an older person longer to recall the names of people, places, and things. You might also misplace items or forget to do something. Usually, these signs of mild forgetfulness are NOT a serious memory problem.
Being forgetful once in a while is a normal part of aging. For example, it’s normal to:
Miss a monthly payment
Forget the current day of the week and remember it later
Take some time to find the right word
However, you may want to talk with your doctor if you experience the following health conditions :
Language and verbal problems
Difficulty understanding
Losing things
The above symptoms may be a sign of dementia.
Alzheimer’s Disease
In this 2024 special report , Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. An estimated 6.9 million adults ages 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s in 2024. This amount equates to about 1 in 9 seniors (10.9%). Thus, the vast majority of seniors do NOT have Alzheimer's.
Learn more about Medicare coverage for Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Although you may not have Alzheimer’s, seniors may experience symptoms of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
A systemic review of more than 30 studies of all-cause MCI reported that about 17% of adults ages 65 and older had Mild Cognitive Impairment. Furthermore, health conditions like diabetes, depression, and stroke may increase your risk of MCI.
People with MCI can still take care of themselves and perform normal daily activities. Signs of mild cognitive impairment may include losing things often and forgetting events or appointments.
Helpful Memory Aids
If you have memory problems, you can use the following aids:
Add the event or appointment to your calendar (printed or on your phone).
Write down important tasks. For example, make a “to-do” list.
You can ask Alexa to “add something” to your shopping list. When you add it to your cart, you can check it off using your phone’s Alexa app.
Good sleep is essential for memory recall .
You can shop for Medicare plans at Senior Healthcare Direct. Call 1-833-463-3262 and speak with a licensed agent.
YM04172401
