Where are my glasses?
I know I put them somewhere…I thought it was in this room…wasn’t I in here last? No, wait, I might have set them down in the bedroom. Let’s see….no, don’t see them…I’ll try the office. What a mess this office is, I really need to clean it. But I can’t, until I find my glasses.
I’ll retrace my steps…got up, went in the kitchen…look at the stack of dishes, geesh, I need to wash them…but I can’t see them well enough at the moment, so need to find those glasses…okay, after I went in the kitchen this morning, I then went in the utility room to try and find the leash so I could take the dog for a walk…that’s it! My glasses are on top of the dryer next to the dog food.
Speaking of dog food, did I feed her already today? Dang it. She looks hungry. But then she always looks hungry. Maybe I need to start marking it on the calendar, if I can ever remember to keep a pencil by the calendar.
Speaking of pencils, I need to buy more. I’ll add that to the list on the counter.
Okay now that I have my glasses, where is my phone? Shoot. I have no idea where I had that last. It’s not on the charger. It’s not in the bedroom. And I can’t call it because my kids convinced me I didn’t need a land line anymore, so either I find it, or I have to go by a new one. But where is it?
Did I use it late last night? I’ll check the pockets of my jackets…nope, is it on the end table? Or was I playing Angry Birds while watching the movie….aha! Right between the sofa cushions. Perfect.
Now if I can remember where my keys are, we can go…. wait, wasn’t I making a list? Why isn’t it on the counter?
Have you been there? Getting older isn’t dull. Sometimes it can feel like a conspiracy…invisible gremlins gleefully hiding things, moving furniture, causing chaos. There was a book I read when I was a child called The Borrowers, wee folk who took small things for their use like thimbles (remember those), utensils, etc. so the residents of the home always seemed to be losing things, or at least could not remember where they were. We can joke about it, but sometimes it’s worrisome…when is it just being absentminded, and when it is a sign of dementia…and what can we do about it?
The National Institute on Aging offers these insights:
“Some changes in thinking are common as people get older. For example, older adults may have:
- Increased difficulty finding words and recalling names
- More problems with multi-tasking
- Mild decreases in the ability to pay attention
“Some older adults find that they don’t do as well as younger people on complex memory or learning tests. Given enough time, though, they can do as well. There is growing evidence that the brain remains “plastic”—able to adapt to new challenges and tasks—as people age. Aging may also bring positive cognitive changes. People often have more knowledge and insight from a lifetime of experiences. Research shows that older adults can still:
- Learn new things
- Create new memories
- Improve vocabulary and language skills
“It is not clear why some people think well as they get older while others do not. One possible reason is “cognitive reserve,” the brain’s ability to work well even when some part of it is disrupted. People with more education seem to have more cognitive reserve than others.”
Some brain changes, such as those associated with Alzheimer’s disease, are NOT a normal part of aging. Check with your physician if you are concerned about you or someone else.
The good news: there are ways to keep your brain healthy:
- Regular exercise, we’re talking at least 30 minutes of true cardio exercise several times a week, pumps blood to your brain and helps reduce cell loss in the brain. So park further away from the store. Take the stairs. Get up and walk around when you can, or do chair aerobics.
- Listen to music: studies show that while hearing music, the areas in the brain involving making decision, accessing memories and making predictions “light up.” Get out those old Doobie Brothers albums or CDs. Or that wonderful Mozart.
- Eat lots of colorful vegetables: they are high in disease-fighting antioxidants and they work to rid the body of bad free radicals. Make your plate look like a rainbow.
- Stop smoking and drink moderately. Smoking is just plain bad. Alcohol, depending on the study you read, can actually be beneficial, but only in moderate amounts. Be smart.
- Be social. Regularly communicate with friends and family, put yourself in social situations, engage in the world around you. It really makes a difference.
It’s important not to panic if you often find yourself forgetting where your key are. We all do it. But it’s equally vital to understand that bigger changes—such as frequent mood swings, loss of interest, confusion, poor grooming habits, etc.—in yourself or someone you love requires the attention of a physician.
This is a busy time of year and we all have way too many lists to keep up with…so cut yourself some slack if you accidentally put the Christmas stocking in the refrigerator and the turkey on the mantle. Give yourself the gift of patience. And a little good music.
“Happiness is good health and a bad memory.”
Ingrid Bergman
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