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What do I do if I suspect alzheimer's in myself?

57 in asked...

I'm 57 and getting a little forgetful. What should I do?

Expert Answer

Brenda Avadian, brings knowledge, hope, and joy to family caregivers for loved ones with Alzheimer's and dementia. She cared for her father with Alzheimer's and helps families one-on-one and in groups. She is the author of eight books, including the pioneering memoir "Where's my shoes?" My Father's Walk through Alzheimer's and the Finding the JOY in Alzheimer's series. She presents vivid, compelling, and funny keynotes to both professional and family caregiving audiences.

I read somewhere that all the information from the year 0 to 2000 is what we receive each week!

My figures may not be exact, but that's because there is so much information to remember. And if I wrote it down, where would I find it when I needed it?

What should we do if we suspect Alzheimer's in ourselves due to a little forgetfulness?

First, realize this is the nature of our information-overloaded world, today. There is so much information out there, we're bound to experience stress and overwhelm. As a result, we're likely to forget more.

Second, if you're really concerned, discuss it with your doctor. It could be due to any number of things--medication, stress, information overload, or not keeping a good calendar. Without my smart phone beeping to remind me and my online calendar, I'd definitely forget. I'd be lost!

Given your comment that you're "getting a little forgetful," it seems like your experience is typical.

You're welcome to share more information and perhaps we can offer more insight.