Recognizing the Difference Between Normal Forgetfulness and Alzheimer’s Disease

As you age, it is not uncommon to have periodic memory lapses. Perhaps you missed a lunch date or forgot where you put your keys. But when your friend calls wondering why you weren’t there, you suddenly remember your plans. And after looking around the house for a few minutes, you find that your keys are on the kitchen table instead of on the hook by the door. These are typically not things to get too concerned about. When you have a lot on your mind or are trying to juggle multiple tasks at once, this can lead to occasional forgetfulness.

Other situations can be a cause for concern, however, and may indicate the onset of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other issues. Recognizing the difference between normal forgetfulness and something more serious can help you to be more proactive about your health and that of your loved ones.

Difficulty Recalling Information

Everyone forgets someone’s name from time to time or has trouble recalling specific details. With normal aging, you remember this information after a short time or when something triggers your memory. The next time you go to retrieve this information, it is easier to remember. With dementia or Alzheimer’s, this information still may not come to you even after some time has passed. Or even after seeing a reminder, you still forget. Asking the same questions repeatedly and not being able to recall the answer can be a sign of more than just normal forgetfulness.

Uncharacteristic Behavior

It’s normal to have an off day now and then and be irritated at your forgetfulness. There could be many reasons behind it. But this is just a small incident and otherwise you feel like yourself and carry on as usual. For those with Alzheimer’s they may exhibit unusual behavior that is not consistent with their regular personality. They may act out, become defensive, or have difficulty making rational decisions. If you notice that a loved one’s behavior and personality has changed, it may be beneficial to consult your doctor.

Confusion about Time or Place

You may lose track of time or momentarily forget where you were headed or what you wanted to pick up at the store, but you quickly readjust. People with Alzheimer’s may get lost or disoriented in familiar places or lose sense of the time, day of the week, or even year. It is often easier to remember things that happened further in the past then more recently.

Occasional forgetfulness can be annoying but does not interfere with your ability to carry out daily tasks and follow directions. With dementia, the person may begin to let personal hygiene slip, place things in odd locations, substitute common words with something that makes little sense, and act more unpredictably. If you are concerned about your forgetfulness or that of a loved one, or notice any of the above symptoms, talk to your doctor. They can assess whether there is reason for concern or these actions are just a normal part of aging.