What’s Normal, What’s Not
Forgot a name? That’s OK. Repeating yourself? Not OK. Read on for more guidelines.
Most of us can expect some memory loss or slowing as we get older. You’re OK if you:
- Forget someone’s name—but can usually recall it later.
- Misplace your keys occasionally.
- Can’t remember what you came to the kitchen for—until you go back to where you started.
- Remember that you read or heard something, but can’t recall exactly where.
Memory problems are more serious if they interfere with your daily life. You should check with your doctor if you:
- Repeat questions, phrases or stories in the same conversation.
- Forget how to do things you’ve done many times before, like cook.
- Have trouble making choices or handling money.
- Lose track of what happens every day.
- Forget things much more often than you used to.
