Phil Moeller: What to know about memory loss

Do you remember what you ate for lunch yesterday? Or the name of that new neighbor? Or the items on that grocery shopping list you absentmindedly left at home? I sure don’t.

Nearly everyone of a certain age has short-term memory lapses. These are generally normal, not necessarily a precursor to dementia. But they are worrisome and can stymie plans and affect personal relationships.

Beyond thinking about having a digital calendar embedded in my body (with a long-lasting battery!), I touched base with University of North Carolina geriatrician Dr. Kimberly J. Mournighan¹ to seek a better understanding of memory disorders in older adults.

“I have a secondary appointment in the Department of Neurology, and I work in their aging brain-like cognitive clinic,” she said. “It’s for folks who are experiencing very early memory changes. We are trying to tease out whether this is to be expected normally (or) if there is something else going on.”

It turns out that memory lapses can be caused by the same lifestyle behaviors that affect our overall health.

“For example, we do not drink alcohol on the job because alcohol affects our thinking. So do a lot of different medications, so you should carefully review your medication list. A lot of older adults are struggling with sleeping issues, and most sleep aids can affect your thinking. Anxiety, stress, depression and loneliness -- all of these can mimic cognitive issues.”

Beyond forgetfulness, progressive signs of cognitive decline² may include:

• Asking the same questions over and over again
• Getting lost in places you used to know well
• Having trouble following recipes or directions
• Making poor judgments and decisions a lot of the time

The progression and pace of decline differ among people. A common trigger for seeking clinical help is when family members become concerned that something unusual is happening.

“Hearing loss is interesting,” Dr. Mournighan said. “A lot of folks don't think they necessarily have a hearing impairment because they can still hear. But being able to tease out the nuances in sounds, especially in a crowded room, in spaces where there's a lot of background noise, that's where you lose the nuances in pitch, in speaking conversations and, if you never heard it the first time, you're not going to be able to remember it later, and people attribute that to forgetfulness, but it's not – it’s a hearing problem.”

Summing up, she said her “big three” habits that may support memory and overall brain health are:

• Exercise — Physical activity raises blood flow to the brain, which can help keep your memory sharp
• Healthy eating — Fruits, vegetables and whole grains may be good for overall brain health, as is low-fat protein, like fish or beans
• A positive outlook — Doing things that make you happy and that engage your brain can support cognitive engagement and memory

Who knew?

I certainly didn’t.

But, as it turns out, research for my 2016 Medicare book emphasized the value of timely, preventive dental, hearing and vision care, which I’ve been receiving for many years, and which have helped me to avoid isolation and loneliness. Unfortunately, Original Medicare does not cover such routine care. Most private Medicare Advantage plans do, and this feature has drawn millions of customers.³

Beyond this, my wife and I share calendars. Every morning, and I mean every morning, we review upcoming appointments and tasks to make sure the entries are still accurate. We enter due dates for future bills and set them to autopay if possible. After some nasty credit card late fees, we now pay the total outstanding balance on each card on the first day of the month. No late fees. No constant reminders that a payment is due.

I put names of new acquaintances and merchants in my email contacts folder.

Then there are our lists! Our refrigerator has half a dozen magnets. Our grocery list is a pad glued to its own magnet.

We both keep personal lists written in long-hand. Every morning, I jot down things I either need to do that day or think about. I can even still read my own handwriting!

I still forget lots of things but am comfortable that my brain is still orbiting planet Earth and not trapped in the rings of Saturn.

Happy memories!