As people in their 50s and 60s see older friends and relatives struggling with severe memory loss issues or Alzheimer's disease, they often become anxious when they misplace their car keys or can't call to mind a word or name they've used a thousand times before.
"Mild forgetfulness is common as you approach retirement, but I know for some it can be alarming," notes Liz Ferron, senior EAP consultant for VITAL WorkLife. "Things you wouldn't have noticed in your twenties suddenly make you worried about losing your mind."
A simple way to think about the difference between mild forgetfulness and Alzheimer's is:
There are ways to "work around" mild forgetfulness—but if you're concerned about symptoms of serious memory problems, including dementia and Alzheimer's Disease, you should seek immediate medical help.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia among older people. An irreversible, progressive brain disease that affects early 5.1 million Americans over the age of 60, Alzheimer's disease destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks of daily living. The signs of Alzheimer's begin slowly and get worse over time.
According to the Alzheimer's Foundation, typical warning signs of Alzheimer's include:
As the illness gets worse, people with Alzheimer's disease may need someone to take care of all their needs at home or in a nursing home. These needs may include feeding, bathing and dressing.
There are medications that can help a person in the early or middle stages of Alzheimer's disease. They keep symptoms, such as memory loss, from getting worse for a time. The medicines can have side effects and may not work for everyone. Talk with your doctor about side effects or other concerns you may have.
If a family member or friend has a serious memory problem, try helping them to live as normal a life as possible. Encourage him or her to stay active, go places and keep up everyday routines. You can remind the person of the time of day, where he or she lives, and what's happening at home and in the world. You also can help the person remember to take medicine or visit the doctor.
Caring for parents with serious memory problems is often difficult. It can be frightening to watch parents lose their grip on memories still precious to you. You may resent the time and cost involved in arranging for care—or the fact that your parents may resist admitting they're experiencing any difficulties at all.
"The role reversal of parent and child can be very stressful," says Ferron. "Adult children often feel tremendous guilt about not doing enough, being impatient or losing their tempers when dealing with fractious or forgetful parents."
Serious Memory Problems
According to the NIH, certain medical conditions can cause serious memory problems. These problems should go away once you get treatment. Some medical conditions that may cause memory problems are:
These medical conditions can be serious. See your doctor immediately for treatment if you suspect any of these may be an issue.
While mild forgetfulness is a normal part of aging, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends the following activities to help keep your memory sharp and stay alert:
VITAL WorkLife has consultants on staff who can help you assess whether it's time to test a parent or loved senior for Alzheimer's—and discuss alternative care and treatment options.
"We're also here to provide support when your parent's condition is affecting your work, your marriage and your overall quality of life," says Ferron. "We've supported many individuals and families through this difficult life passage. Nobody has to go it alone."
Simply call 800.383.1908—any time of the day or night—for a free, confidential consultation. Our consultants can:
Your EAP benefit also includes unlimited access to a wealth of web-based Work & Life Resources at the VITAL WorkLife website, including the following articles on memory-related issues:
Accessing these resources is easy. Simply follow these steps: