✨ “Forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s How to Tell the Difference”

Transcript

00:00Have you ever found yourself searching the house for your glasses, only to realize they were on

00:04your head the whole time? In that moment, a thought might cross your mind. Am I just being

00:10forgetful, or is this something more? Today, let's talk about how to tell the difference between

00:16normal, everyday forgetfulness, and the early signs of Alzheimer's disease. We all forget

00:22things from time to time. It's absolutely natural, just part of being human. Maybe you walk into a

00:28room and forget why you're there, or you leave your keys in the fridge without realizing

00:32it. These little lapses can happen to anyone, especially when we're tired, stressed, or simply

00:39multitasking. But sometimes, forgetfulness feels different, or it starts to affect our daily

00:45lives in new ways. Understanding these changes is one of the kindest things we can do for

00:51ourselves and for the people we love. So how do you tell the difference? Let's look at some

00:56real-life examples that might help. Imagine you're in a busy parking lot. If you forget

01:01where you parked your car, that's completely normal. Maybe you were distracted when you

01:05arrived. But after a few minutes of retracing your steps, you find your car and move on with

01:11your day. That's typical aging. But if you find yourself standing in that same parking lot

01:16and suddenly can't remember how you even got there, or what you were doing before, that's

01:21a warning sign worth noticing. Losing track of steps in a familiar routine can be an early

01:27clue that something more is going on. Here's another scenario. You miss a monthly bill here

01:32and there. Maybe the electricity bill slips your mind once in a while. Most of us have been

01:37there. But if you start regularly struggling to pay bills, find managing your bank account

01:42confusing when it used to be second nature, or notice money going missing without explanation,

01:47it's time to pay closer attention. Words can also offer clues. It's common to have a word on the tip

01:54of your tongue or to pause as you search for the right phrase. But if you find yourself frequently

01:59mixing up words or inventing new ones, like calling a library the book room, and this happens more and

02:05more, it's a good idea to talk to someone about it. And what about names? Forgetting someone's name

02:11at a party and remembering it later is a part of life. But repeatedly forgetting the names of close

02:17family members or confusing relationships, calling your granddaughter by your sister's name, for example,

02:23may be a sign that needs attention. So what can you do to stay aware and proactive? Here are a few gentle

02:29tips. First, consider keeping a memory journal. Write down moments when you notice forgetfulness

02:35and see if a pattern emerges over time. This isn't about worrying. It's about noticing. Second,

02:43invite a trusted family member or close friend to observe any changes with you. Sometimes those

02:49around us notice shifts before we do, and their perspective can be invaluable. Finally, treat your

02:55memory health like any other part of your well-being. Just as you'd get your blood pressure checked

03:00or visit the doctor for a checkup, don't hesitate to reach out to a health care professional

03:04if you notice changes in your memory. Early conversations can make a real difference.

03:10Remember, forgetfulness does not always mean Alzheimer's. But paying attention and caring for

03:16our minds is one of the most loving things we can do for ourselves and for those who care about us.

03:23Knowledge isn't something to fear. It's an act of care, and it helps us take action when it matters most.