When to be concerned:
Many people ask, “So, when do I need to be concerned about my memory?”
Memory loss that impacts your daily life is concerning and signals that you should be evaluated for a cognitive problem. For example, if you have trouble paying the bills; if you forget to do them, or if you are unable to organize and plan to get them done. These are just a few examples of behaviors which indicate you need to talk with your doctor.
The CDC offers this list to help you determine when you should be evaluated.
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life: Forgetting events, repeating yourself, or relying on more aids to help you remember (like sticky notes or reminders). 2. Challenges in planning or solving problems: Having trouble paying bills or cooking recipes you have used for years. 3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure: Having problems with cooking, driving places, using a cell phone, or shopping. 4. Confusion with time or place: Having trouble understanding an event that is happening later, or losing track of dates. 5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relations: Having more difficulty with balance or judging distance, tripping over things at home, or spilling or dropping things more often. To learn more, go to: https://www.cdc.gov/aging/healthybrain/ten-warning-signs.html