Don't accept being told, "it's normal at your age"
Don’t confuse natural changes in your memory due to aging with the pathological aging of your memory.
For a long time it was believed that a gradual loss of neurons (brain cells) was the sole cause of memory problems in older adults. Now we know that we have sufficient neurons to reach an advanced age and still have a good memory.
When you reach your twenties, your memory starts undergoing gradual changes. Starting at the age of 50, memory complaints are among the most common reasons for seeking medical advice. These complaints are brought into clear focus not only because they are increasing proportionally with the aging of the population (memory, like our body, ages), but also because of the fear that they could be the sign of a memory disease, like Alzheimer’s. Keep in mind that a memory problem doesn’t necessarily mean you have the disease.
Memory concerns do not always lead to serious problems, but they can certainly cause worry. Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s normal to be forgetful at your age. There are tools and strategies for improving your memory and maintaining your independence.
