Having Memory/Language Issues- Normal Aging?
 

I'm 65. I have always had, and used a pretty expansive vocabulary- not scholarly but enough to be sure I was understood. I could hold my own in a variety of social situations.

For the past few years I have a lot of trouble finding words. I find that my conversations are now lacking the 'big' words I used to use. When I'm talking, a word that would normally be immediately available to me is now a blank space in my mind, and I instead use a basic word. An example: While talking I might use the 'Expansive" (as in my 1st sentence above), but when I draw a blank I'll instead say, "Big". This problem is not quite so bad when I'm typing.

So, are these lapses on the spectrum Senior Moments?

Make an appointment with Dr. Mason "the memory doctor" in Leesburg for a complete analysis. No sense in asking questions here as those that have gone through it cannot remember the answers.

Charter Research advertises in the Daily Sun often 352 441 2000. I don’t have any experience with them. Just saw the ad

Synexus is also doing studies on memory, located behind the circle K gas station on Wedgewood.

Some good advice in this thread already about seeking professional help.

Losing words is not uncommon among us geezers. Neither is losing things, or forgetting what you went to get once you get there. I’m 75 and those phenomena have been present, to a greater or lesser degree, for the past decade. But we learn coping skills. And our lives go on.

To use a well-worn example: if you forget where your car keys are, that is normal. If you forget what your car keys are FOR…well, time to start worrying. I’m certainly no expert (though I did work with geriatric populations extensively back in the world) but my thought is that if you know what you WANT to say but can’t find quite the right word, that is normal. Like losing your car keys. I’d ask an expert, but wouldn’t worry too much.

I think your post is excellent. We have the same type of forgetfulness, especially with words. I can see it, feel it on my tongue and cannot get it out. I put it down to living in TV. Rarely do we have the type of conversation we had when we were working, or the opportunity to sit and converse with younger more intellectual people. Our discussions and speech patterns in TV start and end with Good Morning, how are you, and Well, see you later.

The fear of dementia is ever present as we age. I notice that when we are back with our family, especially adult grandchildren, our vocabulary gets much better. This last sentence says it all, I could have ended with "our vocabulary improves immensely".

Being your age and having had 7 concussions from sports in my lifetime, I feel your pain. I have similar issues when highly stressed or very tired. My mom has serious dementia, and can't remember anything for more than 5 minutes. One of the accelerants of dementia is isolation. Because with isolation, you don't speak so you can lose the use of vocabulary faster than when speaking regularly. The pandemic isolation did my mom in, as well as being a widow starting at age 89, she is now 96. Activity level of regular exercise and regular socialization and good sleep patterns will help slow the advance if you are predisposed to the disease.

All of this information was learned during regular visits with her neurologist until i had to put her in assisted living. And I also learned I was predisposed due to the head injuries, and I do feel those issues as well. . . but I also do crossword puzzles at night to keep the words alive in the brain. . you might want to try word puzzles as a way to keep those words in your active library

doomed guy

My wife and I were tested by them last year and plan to do it again soon.

No cost and think they give a pretty good test on your cognitive functions.

Also medicare wellness test also tests for this but not as complete as Charter Research.

I have had chemo brain for the last 10 years so I have word issues and memory problems all the time. It is difficult at times but my doctor says it is just me getting old. I was 49 when I was diagnosed with incurable cancer. I have always used used basic words, why use big words when little ones work just fine. Anyway, find a way around it and do the best you can.

Carotid artery blockage…. As we age all that bacon had to go somewhere…. ultrasound/ Doppler will pinpoint the area

I just went and had a very good experience.

I have had that issue occasionally for as long as I can remember - one mechanism that works wonders is to give yourself a "short-circuit".

By this, I mean if you grasping for a word, think of a question and answer that has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the word you want. Example: "How many arms does an octopus have?" More times than not, this momentary shift will get you back on the main track.

Memory Issues
 

The Villages Health has an outreach program that will test your memory using the nationally standardized testing program. It is free to all residents. You do not have to be in their health system.

May want to check your B12 levels. Supplements will correct any deficiency.

Low Vitamin B12 Levels: An Underestimated Cause Of Minimal Cognitive Impairment And Dementia - PMC.

My friend goes to charter research and the outcome was amazing. I would recommend…..definitely.

[QUOTE=CoachKandSportsguy;2196239] My mom has serious dementia, and can't remember anything for more than 5 minutes. One of the accelerants of dementia is isolation. Because with isolation, you don't speak so you can lose the use of vocabulary faster than when speaking regularly.

One of the more poignant & relevant phrases I’ve seen since watching my Mother (now 80) go down this path a bit…. Widowed at 59 and stopped really working a couple years ago - we tried to get her to come down with us to FL about 18 months ago but she wasn’t feeling it.

Eventually moved her from her apartment an independent senior living facility with meals prepared (if she wants them, full kitchen too) - and additional socialization opportunities - it was a tough sell to get her to go there given the increased expense.

I try to visit and call much more often - but the path doesn’t seem great in concert with her own overall happiness level - great thread & helpful discussion,.

Respectfully, DB

If you lose your keys and find them later, that's ok, if you lose your keys, find them and don't know what they are ... then you worry.
As I tell my kids ... I've learned so much over the years, anything I learn now makes the stuff I learned in the past go out.

Thank you for your honesty.
 

My wife says the time to worry is not when you forget one or two things but when it becomes a whole string of forgetting. I sometimes forget why I went from one room to the next or where I put my sunglasses-- usually on my head. I appreciate the advice about getting tested or involved in a study, but also feel it is very helpful to challenge yourself as much as possible, physically and mentally. I write books and lead a writing group. I think writing, whatever the genre, is, for me at least, an important way to keep my brain challenged. Reading and word puzzles are also helpful. At age 76, I just completed a script for a television series, a longshot, which required me to learn a scriptwriting program. I doubted I could master it or keep up with the young whippersnapper producer. It was not something I ever imagined doing in retirement, but challenging my brain and staying socially active, I think, is very important. Keep on trucking, my friend, and don't worry about a few word gaps, but be proactive and find ways to use your talents and skills to help others. Thanks again for sharing a common concern. Much appreciated.

When a post said tested by them - who is them? Charter research or Synexus???? Your post always goes to end so does not match up.

Where was I? This is a very common problem with age, and it isn’t necessarily dementia. For the last ten years I spent teaching literature on the college level, I had a hard time occasionally remembering the names of characters in books I was teaching when I needed their names. I used to write the names on a post-it note I kept inside the front cover. I think that if you can explain the context where a word is used, give synonyms, define it aloud, then recognize the word when it comes to you later, you are doing okay.

I may have problems remembering a certain word I need at times, but I read scholarly books, have high-level conversations, write and publish books. I learn to play new musical instruments and learn new techniques for playing old ones and learn new songs. I like to think those things help keep my mind sharper than it might otherwise be. It’s definitely harder to memorize new songs these days, but I’m still learning and loving it.

try lions mane mushrooms and after a few months see if you feel any more focused.

Memory loss
 

I have selective memory loss, mostly when it comes to the "Honey do list"

You're not the only one experiencing these symptoms. I'm 64 and deal with the same stuff.

I’m so grateful to you for your post. I’m going to get into action later today. If I can help myself and then others I’m all ears.
When we’re new to The Villages we did notice the heavy emphasis on Memory Care. I was about 58 at the time and on my first Doctors appointment I was asked to draw 11.15 on a clock on a blank piece of paper then felt insulted when they gave my three words to remember. Apple, Penny, Table. I was insulted and almost walked out. Turns out that they were only looking out for me and have been ever since. Staying was one of the best things that I ever did. I wouldn’t trade The Villages Health for the world.

Thanks again for the post, I’m not alone!

Research Nootropics -are a class of substances that improve brain function. Also referred to as neuro-enhancers, cognitive boosters, or memory enhancers. Detox heavy metals. Do not cook with aluminum or in deodorant. No fluoride.This is a start.

See a neurologist
 

My wife had a similar issue over 10 years ago when she was in her mid 60s. In her case, it ultimately led to dementia. For others I've known, it seems part of aging

Dr. Mason is THE BEST! i second your recommendation.

thx so much for your heartfelt reply, & yes, you are not alone

This thread, for me, is the most relevant of all that I have seen here. I have similar problems with names. For example, the other day I was trying to remember the name of Mel Gibson and then, what's his name, the guy who has aphasia, oh now I remember, Bruce Willis.

I also was a teacher and have written a number of books on historical subjects, so a lot of names to remember. I have never read anything that suggests this, but is it possible that as we age, we have more to remember and our brain capacity is being pushed to its limits?

I think I am more sensitive to memory challenges at my current age than I was 10, 20, or 30 years ago. I am not sure I was any better back then, I just did not pay any attention to it. Now it is front and center. I just tell the grandkids that Grandpa's brain is so filled with data that his hard drive is full. So any new data has to replace old data. Once old data is gone, it is gone forever. So make sure whatever you say to Grandpa it is really important. It has actually kept them quiet a time or two. 😁

Alzheimer’s runs in my mom’s side is the family, so I pay close attention to potential symptoms. I have noticed that a common early sign is the inability to multi-task anymore. For example, not being able to cook a whole meal and figure out how/when everything should be done.

Losing words is also a clue. However, it appears to be more that they forget the bigger word exists at all. I think that it’s natural for seniors to sometimes have trouble retrieving words/names, etc. If they come back to you later, and you remember that it’s the name/word you wanted, I don’t think that’s a problem.

I take Prevegen and believe it helps. I don’t know if there’s scientific evidence to support it, but I despise paying the $30 a month but continue do so because I think it works. If I didn’t, I would have dumped it in a heartbeat.

A lot of good referrals in here. I’d like to share that my husband was having some word search issues a couple years ago and I read an article that talked about the brain like a muscle that we need to exercise (especially as we age). It suggested things like reading and puzzles (multiple kinds of puzzles, not just one) as exercise. Hubby has been doing that ever sense and is much improved. As others have said, seniors often experience some word search issues so he still does but much less. And, his ample vocabulary when young has been returning and he can wiz thru a crossword now (almost like his younger years) and only likes the hard sudoku now.

So, I’m certainly not saying ignore the issues. Discuss with a dr (as he did also). But you might also benefit from some ‘exercising your brain’ puzzles too.

Wife and I are 86 and 83 respectively.
Crosswords, reading, walking and travel seem to keep us mentally alert.
Not too much television seems to stop brain 'Zombyfying' as well.
Chat with younger people.
We are lucky to have grandson and family nearby, and we regularly speak with him and his teenage senior year class mates.

Health Warning.
Avoid old people as much as possible.
Research has shown that in some cases, over exposure can cause brain damage!:icon_wink:

See a neurologist
 

My wife had a similar issue over 10 years ago when she was in her mid 60s. In her case, it ultimately led to dementia. For others I've known, it seems part of aging

You should quote the test you are referring to but think it was to me.

We were tested by Charter Research.

What makes you think it works? Not doubting you, just wondering what it is that makes you think that?

Are you talking to as many people as you used to? If not, try to call a few people each day and look for places you can engage people in conversation.

Yes, and stress is not our friend either

Charter Research
 

I saw the ad too and have a family history. I went and got tested for two different studies and fortunately don't have any of the markers in my blood sample to qualify me for either test. They ask some screening memory questions that if you "remember" or know the answer on them, you move forward to a blood test checking for the "markers" for the particular drug test they are running. This is the way it was done for me but not sure if there are other methods for other drug tests. I told them to keep my name on their list of the willing in case any other tests come along.