“Oh, shoot, what was her name?” I am not sure I say things like this any more these days than I have in the past, but it feels that way. I think about memory loss and dementia more often as I encounter my contemporaries questioning some of their circumstances. As I get older, I am wondering about what a personal journey with mental decline might mean for me.
I have good genes relative to the potential for memory loss. My paternal grandmother had significant memory issues, although I am not sure it was diagnosed with a label. Although my other grandparents lived into their 70’s, I recall more physical than cognitive issues. Memory problems for my parents only happened related to other health issues as they reached their 90s. I feel lucky.
On the other hand, I am aware of the possibilities of losing mental sharpness when I cannot recall a word or name that I think I should know. As baby boomers age, I notice a myriad of references to dementia and its progression and treatment. Dementia is a common worry, and, like others, I fear the uncertainty of losing memories and the ability to connect with others.
Dementia has stages from mild to severe. The timeline and symptoms vary for everyone. My fears are normal and not overwhelming. Every time, however, that I cannot immediately recall something, I wonder if I am in decline. I remain calm by telling myself that I am overthinking this situation, just as I tell myself when I overreact about other health issues. My friend says it is not my memory but the indexing in my brain. I have so much information there that it just takes a while to find it. I hope that is the case!!
Nevertheless, I focus on being proactive to maintain my brain health. I have always been a “self-help” junkie and read regularly about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Being physically healthy in general empowers cognitive abilities. I exercise every day. I “bathe” in the forest. I try to eat healthy foods. I drink alcohol infrequently. I do word puzzles every day. I volunteer so I can have a purpose in life. I value and try to nurture my friendships. I express gratitude each day for all the advantages I have. That all seems like a good prescription for living in general.
I cannot control what lies ahead relative to the likelihood of my physical or cognitive declines. I can strive to retain my health and support my friends who are also experiencing these concerns.
You and me both sister!
What a shared topic you hit on today! I bet almost every day I wonder”is it starting to happen?” when I blank on a name or forget something on your calendar. I guess physical decline isn’t great either but somehow it never seems to matter quite as much as the mental…I hope I have the good memory genes.
Karla,
I think about these things a lot as well. Having said that, I try to keep Edward Abbey’s words in mind: “One final paragraph of advice: do not burn yourselves out. Be as I am – a reluctant enthusiast….a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it’s still here. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, the lovely, mysterious, and awesome space. Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to the body, the body active and alive, and I promise you this much; I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies, over those desk-bound men and women with their hearts in a safe deposit box, and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this; You will outlive the bastards.”
See you soon.
Dan