Forgetting people's names and places is rather common - happens to me
all the time! I'm also not sure I could really remember what I gave
someone for Christmas two years ago.
The experience I had with Mom's dementia was that she could remember
things from years and years ago but not what happened during the current
day. She also forgot how to do things such as turning on the stove,
thought the commode was making a funny noise when she actually had
turned on the exhaust fan, thought the television remote didn't work
(she just forgot which buttons to push), etc.
I really do think that forgetting how to do "normal" every day things is
a better sign of dementia than forgetting someone's name.
Perhaps you could speak to your doctor and see if he or she has any
concerns.
Please keep us posted on how you are getting along.
Lynn
There are new tests which can reveal the start of alzheimers disease even
before the typical symptoms happen. Saw it recently on a TV news show.
But aside from that, you absolutely need to get tested if you even suspect
it. There are many good reasons for that. First of all, not all things
that look like alzheimers actually are.
You can be suffering from something as simple as a thyroid problem or a
vitamin deficiency, or from some other totally reversible condition. So
get tested to find out what is really going on.
--
Evelyn
"Even as a mother protects with her life her only child, So with a boundless
heart let one cherish all living beings." --Sutta Nipata 1.8
I'm 48, have had similar problems for some years.
I often forget what movie I watched last night because it just wasn't worth
remembering. I have CD's that I know I bought, haven't listened to for
years, don't remember why I bought it and, once listened to, can not
understand why I ever did. I have misplaced my car in a large shopping
centre car park (only because it was my first sedan and I was used to large
vans that stuck out like dogs... you know, and I only had to look across the
car park to find it).
Start worrying when you can't remember your daughters name (for more than a
moment), regularly forget where you left your car, forget what you gave your
daughter for her birthday last week or forget your address.
If you're REALLY concerned about the possibility that you are developing
some form of Dementia, go to a specialist and be assessed.
Right now, enjoy tomorrow.
D.