Forgetfulness in the Elderly - What Does It Mean?



Posted: Wednesday, November 30, 2005

by Angelica White
My caregiversfamily.com

Forgetfulness does not always mean Alzheimer’s. Dementia is a group of symptoms that are caused by changes in brain function. Dementia is caused by many conditions. The group of symptoms of dementia can be caused by dehydration, vitamin deficiency, or bad reaction to medication just to name a few. Sometimes emotional problems such as loss of a loved one or feelings of sadness and loneliness which lead to depression can cause feeling of confusion or forgetfulness. Sometimes the cause of memory loss is in fact Alzheimer’s or multi infarct dementia but not always, you must get a diagnosis from a doctor to be sure.
I have had the privilege of working with many people who were suffering from memory loss. Some had a professional diagnosis from their doctor of Alzheimer’s others had one or more of the problems listed above. The cause of their memory loss was not my top priority at the time nor is it now. My priority is always compassionate caregiving. I’m going to share some very important insight with you about how our elderly population has been frightened into becoming obsessed with the fear of memory loss and why.
“The scary thing about memory loss is not so much that I have memory loss but what is going to happen to me because of it." Memory loss is very frightening regardless of its cause. Caregivers for the memory impaired have the ability to cause fear or bring comfort. Be informed, be compassionate, and always give unconditional care and love.


The Most Common Fears:
Compassionate Caregiving


From the time we are born till the time we die. We all strive for acceptance. We dedicate our whole lives to the pursuit of being acceptable. We all have different definitions of what makes us acceptable or unacceptable. This is where the fear factor comes into play. With memory loss not only is the person not living up to others expectations but they have failed in their own expectations for themselves. They also become vulnerable to everyone else in their lives. Now that there is memory loss they have to depend on another person, and in some cases that means total dependence on another person. They are now faced with a trust issue, a very deep trust issue. It’s one thing to trust someone when you are aware of everything in your life, but now they are forced to have total and complete blind trust with no control coming from within their own awareness. We all have the desire to feel like we have some control of our own destiny. The best gift you can give the person you are caring for is the gift of honesty and respect. Help them to understand what is happing to them and why. What the causes are and what they can do if anything. Include them in the plan for the future and for their care. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)
» left by Carmen Cann
from Jersey 6 years 142 days ago.
I thought the article explained exactly what I wanted to know about my mother who over the last year has had memory loss. It would be interesting to know why this is always worse first thing in the morning.
» left by Marcy
from Grand Rapids, mi 2 years 330 days ago.
I work with my mother also. I see her memory failing when she is nervous. When she is relaxed, she seems fine. The trouble is that many things make her nervous and it has always been that way with her. I am wondering if there is a connection between anxiety ( from happy, sad, nervous) and memory.
» left by Angelica White from United States 2 years 330 days ago.
Hi Marcy, Thank you for sharing. Yes, anxiety and depression affects everyones health. I have witnessed it many times. You are a keen observer. The best tool you have is your skill of observation. Documenting your observations and sharing them with your moms doctor plays a big part in proper diagnosis and getting the right treatment plan started. The big debate has always been, does memory lose cause anxiety and depression or does anxiety and  depression play a part in memory lose. Either way treating the anxiety is a very important first step. Sounds like your mom is in very good hands. I wish you and your mom the best. Remember Marcy you are not alone, there are many resources available. Take care of yourself.
» left by Judy Harper from Carthage, new york 1 year 19 days ago.
My mother is 78yrs old. this year she has lost a sister-in-law along with a sister who died two days apart. My dad died two years ago. my mother and father was separated for three years before he died. my mother took constant care of him. Us kids also helped out. my dad died of pancreatic cancer. they were married for 52yrs. before she left him. my mother has been alone for 4years. I find that the last two years she has been increasingly forgetful, nervious, and confused. I am trying to sale her house. my mother is overwhelmed with the whole process of the house. She becomes more anxeious and forgetfull in the morning and also at night. It believe this is from the stress and lost of loved ones she has expereinced the lasted few years. She recoginces her forgetfulness and feels very upset. Mom thinks she is just getting old. But I known that it is from everything that has been going on in her life. She is on medicine. I keep track of her often. when she gets upset, I gently tell her that everything is going to be alright and just repete what we were talking about. She grateful and fines confort in what I tell her. Judy H.
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