Baby Boomer Generation Fears Dementia, Alzheimer's and Memory Loss

The Causes of Memory Loss

The words dementia, Alzheimer’s and memory loss instill fear in the retiring baby boomers

Scientific research now shown… that the causes of memory loss can be prevented or delayed. The studies also confirm that memory loss is not a normal process of aging.

As the baby boomer generation ages... we may experience a longer period of time to recall something in our memory bank. Forgetting where we placed something, not being able to recall events or incidents that were not significant to us at the time... are normal processes of memory.

We become distracted, multitask and do not give significance to what we are doing. In our present day culture, TV, radio, cell phones and computers bombard us.

We communicate in so many different fashions. And do it while we are driving; cooking, eating and even when we are sleeping (we leave the TV on or listen to music).

The causes of memory loss may be avoided. Or the progression delayed ... if the root cause and signs and symptoms of memory loss are identified and understood. It must be understood that there are many factors that can affect the brain and memory.

A healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, physical and mental exercises all promotes brain fitness. And can delay memory loss. These are all things that the baby boomer generation are know for embracing.

Activities such as:

• Drinking alcohol
• Using illicit drugs
• Smoking
• Poor nutrition
• Chronic stress
• And some prescription medications can contribute to memory loss.

It is also important to note that... some chronic illnesses, may also contribute to memory loss.

These conditions such as:

• Thyroid conditions
• Diabetes
• Sleep disorders
• And stroke

These are just a small example of medical conditions that may... affect the memory abilities of the brain.

Many of these conditions if detected early and treated... can reverse, prevent or delay the loss of memory.

In today’s rushed society, you or someone around you may be experiencing signs of memory loss. And you are dismissing the symptoms.

On the other hand, I frequently hear others say that they must already have dementia or Alzheimer’s ... because they are always loosing or forgetting something.

Aging and memory loss does not mean that your intelligence level becomes diminished... or that your ability to learn is compromised in any way.

It may take more time to learn something new as we grow older. But doing something new and different... creates new connections in the brain and builds brain reserve.

Memory categories

There are three types of memory categories.

Intelligence and level of education are not a contributing factor... on the brain’s ability to function and recall material learned.

Memory categories:

Remote long term memory :

• Recalls things from our childhood ...Our favorite songs, things that we memorized. significant moments in our lives.

Remote long term memory are those stored moments we have tucked away in our brain... to recall in our future when we have a need to remember or experience a past feeling ( pleasant or unpleasant)

Recent long term memory

These are events that occur in our everyday life. Things we recall, such as our drive to work, a communication with someone about an event.

Recent long-term memory may even be recalling ... what you had for supper the night before or thinking about what clothes you wore during the week.

Short term memory

We are bombarded everyday with information.

You are given an email address, a telephone or fax number. You start to type the information or dial the phone and you are interrupted.

The information you had in your mind has been lost. You cannot retrieve it.

You have to go through the effort of finding the information out all over again. Short-term memory is the ability to recall temporary information.

The normal aging process does not affect our remote long term memory or our short term memory. Recent long term memory may be affected by the aging process. It may take longer to recall something, but one should not loose the ability to recall long-term memory.

The baby boomer generation worries about signs of memory loss:

• May be gradual onset
• Decreased ability to perform daily routine tasks
• Changes or difficulty in making judgments or decrease in reasoning abilities
• Inability or decline in thinking clearly, may see irrational behavior
• Confusion
• Getting lost driving or walking in familiar surroundings
• Missing important appointments
• New onset of depression, anxiety
• Confabulation .   Individuals try to compensate for their inability to remember things. They will make things up (confabulate) to cover for their memory loss.

If you, or someone you know of the baby boomer generation, exhibit any of these symptoms, see a doctor.

Early intervention can… prevent or delay memory loss. It may be Mild cognitive Impairment

The normal aging process does not affect our remote long term memory or our short term memory. Recent long term memory may be affected by the aging process. It may take longer to recall something, but one should not loose the ability to recall long term memory.

The Baby Boomer Generation Worries About Signs of memory loss:

• May be gradual onset
• Decreased ability to perform daily routine tasks
• Changes or difficulty in making judgments or decrease in reasoning abilities
• Inability or decline in thinking clearly, may see irrational behavior
• Confusion
• Getting lost driving or walking in familiar surroundings
• Missing important appointments
• New onset of depression, anxiety
• Individuals try to compensate for their inability to remember things... and will make things up (confabulate) to cover for their memory loss.

If you, or someone you know of the baby boomer generation, exhibit any of these symptoms, see a doctor.

Early intervention can prevent or delay memory loss.

If you know someone that has been diagnosed, here is a book Diagnosis of Dementia, What Do I Do Now?