Most of us walk into a room and forget why. Most of us lose the name of an actor we have known for decades. As the years go on, moments like these can start to feel loaded, for the person and for the family watching. The useful question is not whether something was forgotten, but whether daily life is changing.

This article draws on guidance from the National Institute on Aging. It is general information, not a diagnosis, and anyone with a concern should talk with their own doctor.

What normal aging looks like

The National Institute on Aging describes mild, age-related forgetfulness as common. People may not recall information as quickly as they once did, may take longer to learn something new, and may occasionally misplace things or forget to pay a bill.

NIA offers a helpful comparison. Making a bad decision once in a while, missing a monthly payment, forgetting which day it is and remembering later, or sometimes reaching for the right word are described as part of normal aging. The same page is clear that dementia is not a normal part of aging.

Signs it is time to talk with a doctor

According to NIA, serious memory problems make it hard to do everyday things such as driving, using the phone or finding the way home. Signs that suggest a conversation with a doctor include:

  • Asking the same questions over and over
  • Getting lost in places that used to be familiar
  • Having trouble following recipes or directions
  • Becoming more confused about time, people and places
  • Not taking care of oneself, such as eating poorly, not bathing or behaving unsafely

NIA contrasts the normal changes above with patterns that point toward dementia: poor judgment much of the time, trouble managing monthly bills, losing track of the date or season, difficulty holding a conversation, and misplacing things often without being able to find them. Memory is not the only sign. NIA notes that people with dementia may also have trouble with language, attention or visual perception, and some have personality changes.

Many causes are treatable

One reason to see a doctor early is that memory problems do not always come from dementia. NIA lists factors that can affect memory, and many of them can be treated:

  • Thyroid, kidney or liver problems
  • Medication side effects
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Sleep problems
  • Low levels of nutrients such as vitamin B12, or not eating enough healthy food
  • Alcohol or drug misuse
  • Head injury, or blood clots, tumors or infections in the brain

NIA also notes that major life events, such as retirement or the death of a spouse, can leave people confused or forgetful for a time, and that these problems usually improve as the stress fades. If they persist beyond a few weeks, NIA advises talking with a doctor.

Medicines deserve special attention because older adults often take several. Our article on why a full medication review matters explains how a doctor looks for drugs that may affect thinking. Sleep matters too; see how much sleep adults need.

What Medicare covers for memory concerns

For people with Medicare, the yearly Wellness visit includes a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia. Medicare Part B also covers a separate cognitive assessment and care plan visit to review thinking in more depth, establish or confirm a diagnosis, and build a care plan. Medicare.gov notes that the Part B deductible and 20 percent coinsurance apply to that visit, and that you can bring a spouse, friend or caregiver along to help listen and answer questions.

How to prepare for the visit

A little preparation makes the appointment far more useful:

  1. Write down specific examples, with rough dates: the missed appointment, the wrong turn, the repeated story.
  2. Bring every medicine, vitamin and supplement in its original bottle.
  3. Note any recent changes in sleep, mood, appetite, alcohol use or hearing.
  4. Invite a family member or close friend who sees day-to-day life.
  5. Ask what the next step is, and when memory should be checked again.

At Legacy Medical, labs are drawn in the office, so routine blood work a doctor may order to look for treatable causes can often be done at the same visit. Our geriatric and memory care page describes how Dr. Shtern approaches these concerns, and for families explains how relatives can stay involved with the patient’s written permission.

Talking about it as a family

Raising memory concerns with a parent or spouse can feel awkward. It often goes better framed around health in general: a checkup, a review of medicines, a look at sleep. Lead with care rather than a list of mistakes, and let the person keep as much control over the plan as possible.

If you would like to meet the doctor before deciding anything, the first visit at Legacy Medical is a complimentary meet and greet with Dr. Shtern. Family members are welcome.

This article is general information, not advice for your situation. Members can call the office with questions about their own care.