I have always forgotten things. (Fred MacMurray in the Absent Minded Professor was one of my role models.) I can still remember the sinking feeling when I forgot an appointment for a haircut or picking the kids after school.
I would have kicked myself in the pants, but I didn’t think more about it. But now when I forget something, I start imagining that every set of lost keys or forgotten name is one more sign that my memory is riding that downhill slide to total oblivion.
I don’t know if you have the same experience, but I find it a little bit scary. And it doesn’t’ help that my mother died from Alzheimer’s. (There is one good sign — I do remember how to spell Alzheimer’s!)
Normal forgetfulness, such as absentmindedness, forgetting names or those tip-of-the-tongue moments are common at any age and are not serious memory problems. A more serious concern is dementia, which has syptoms that include impairment in memory, reasoning, judgment, language and other thinking skills.
According to the Mayo Clinic website, some early signs of dementia may include: asking the same questions repeatedly, forgetting common words when speaking and mixing words up, such as saying "bed" instead of "table." In addition, dementia can cause it to take longer to complete familiar tasks, items to be misplaced in inappropriate places — a wallet gets put in a kitchen drawer — getting lost while walking or driving around a familiar neighborhood, or undergoing sudden changes in mood or behavior for no apparent reason.
If you find this is happening to you, or if you know someone who is exhibiting these signs, a doctor should be consulted. There are many other causes for memory lapses that can be treated and they should be ruled out first.
They include: severe stress, depression, a vitamin B12 deficiency, insufficient sleep, some prescription drugs and infections.
In the meantime, for us who experience normal forgetfulness, there are ways to help keep our minds sharp. Stay engaged with friends and family, volunteer, reduce your stress, keep your mind active, get lots of rest, exercise and eat well.
You can learn more about dementia and memory loss at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center’s next 11 a.m. Tuesday lecture on Feb. 10. Colleen Ballinger from Hospice of the Gorge will discuss in more detail the differences between normal forgetfulness and dementia.
The Planetree Resource Center always offers an excellent series of free spring lectures on health-related topics that are open to the public. This year there are three that may be of particular interest to older adults: “Living with Chronic Pain and the Tools for Management” on Feb. 17, “This Aging Body” on March 3 and “Could You Repeat That? Hearing Loss and Prevention” on March 10. The lectures are held at Water’s Edge from 7pm to 8:30pm. For more information or to register call 541-296-8444 or visit the MCMC website.
Donzella Schlager and I will be attending the Go Red for Women’s Heart Health event at the Civic this Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m . to share information about the activities at the center. So after your massage and bowl of soup, stop by and say hello.
On Saturday, March 14, the center will be taking a bus load of 20 folks to Portland to see the matinee performance of “Guys and Dolls.” Tickets are $75, including transportation, and can be purchased at the center. For the Tuesday Night Music and Dance on Feb. 10, Martin and Friends will be performing. Doors open at 6 p.m. and music starts at 7. All ages are welcome and donations are always appreciated.
The name of the translucent pink styling gel with a unique smell and gelatinous consistency was Dippity-Do. (And the winner of a free Cherry Festival Breakfast is Carol Parker.)
From 1922 to 1944, producer Hal Roach created a series of 221 short comedy films about a group of poor neighborhood children called “Our Gang,” which he later repackaged in the 1950’s as “The Little Rascals.” For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of the boy in the series known for his trademark pointed cowlick? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or drop it off with a picture of Darla - his romantic interest.
Well, it’s been another week, trying figure out what I’ll do when I grow up. Until we meet again, as John Barrymore once said, “Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open.”
“God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.” James M. Barrie
menu
Wednesday (4) Parmesan Chicken with Noodles
Thursday (5) Pub Battered Fish (Tom Graff music)
Friday (6) Swiss Burger with Onions and Mushrooms
Monday (9) Stew with Broccoli
Tuesday (10) Oven Baked Chicken
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