Memory Loss and Alzheimer’s Disease

As age climbs, so does the fear associated with becoming a senior citizen. According to Martha Lear, author of Where Did I Leave My Glasses?: The What, When, and Why of Normal Memory Loss, specialists appear to agree the number one fear of the Baby Boomer generation is suffering from memory loss. Some level of memory loss is expected as we age, but what’s normal and what could be an early onset of Alzheimer’s?

“Sometimes it’s hard to tell what is normal old aging and what is the beginning of something more serious,” admits Dr. Marwan Sabbagh. The neurologist has devoted his career to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s, but in the meantime he’s embraced the idea of prevention. Frequent exercise, a healthy diet, especially foods high in OMEGA-3, and regular mental stimulation are just a few examples. According to Dr. Sabbagh, there are certain strategies that can be adopted to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s or dementia. These assertions are explored in The Alzheimer’s Answer: Reduce Your Risk and Keep Your Brain Healthy, one of Dr. Sabbagh’s four publications on the topics of aging and memory loss.

Memories, such as what you ate for lunch, where you left your glasses, names of acquaintances, etc., are often the first types of memory to go with age. These memories can be omitted without much consequence, other than periodic annoyance, and are a common part of aging. Martha Lear suggests methods, such as using visual cues and repetition, using multiple senses and/or forms of communication to improve recall. Most importantly, Lear urges everyone to address the anxieties associated with memory loss, which may actually make symptoms worse. By regularly seeing doctors and staying familiar with normal memory loss associated with old age compared to more serious issues, much of the anxiety can be eliminated.