Contrary to many myths and stereotypes, significant memory loss is not the norm for older people. Research has found that barring illness or disease, people’s memory and cognitive abilities can remain healthy and strong well into old age. In fact, long-term memory seems to remain intact with advancing age.
Nevertheless, a number of age-related memory changes do occur. These include:
Slower thinking The speed of learning and recall (remembering) tends to decrease, so it may require more time to learn new things and/or retrieve information. Short-term memory doesn't necessarily fade with age; it just takes longer to function.
Difficulty in paying attention Many memory changes are due to problems of attention, not retention. Difficulties concentrate as a person ages makes it harder to remember. Distractions are more difficult to ignore and interruptions may cause forgetfulness.
More memory cues required for recallAs people age, more memory aids or cues are needed. A cue can be a word, picture, smell, rhyme, or anything associated with information or events to be remembered.
Despite the evidence that aging does not result in major cognitive or memory losses, an unspoken fear among many older persons is that forgetting things may signal a disease such as Alzheimer's disease. Most older people do not get Alzheimer’s; only five to eight percent of the population over age 65 are likely to get the disease.
As a general rule, the more concerned an older adult is about memory loss, the less likely they are to have Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease are often unaware of their own loss of function. If you are concerned about Alzheimer’s Disease, please check out the Alzheimer's Disease: Ten Warning Signs.
Adapted from: Family Caregivers' Network Society, Resource Guide for Family Caregivers, 2006.