Are ‘senior moments’ normal, or something to worry about?

Okay, it happens to all of us at times. You forget where you put your car keys, or even where you parked in the supermarket lot. Or something you intended to buy once inside.

And you’ve also seen those drug commercials that say “Alzheimer’s isn’t waiting.”

So are these memory gaps something you should really worry about?

Probably not.

Minor memory lapses are often called “senior moments” in older people who are more apt to experience them. But experts say they’re normal for all age groups.

Yes, there are “middle-aged moments” too!

In fact, a recent German study found 75 percent of people carry a variation in a receptor gene that makes them prone to forgetfulness, which the lead author called “quite common.”

Besides an inherited tendency, the causes can include things like multitasking, stress, fatigue, depression or even — surprise, surprise! — certain medications.

A buildup of previous memories stored in your brain can also interfere with your ability to recall specific details of what you did on any given day.

But there are ways you can boost your memory power, like associating things with other mental images. One memory expert, Professor Mark McDaniel of Washington University in St. Louis, even thinks telling yourself things aloud like “I’m putting my wallet on the dresser.” can be helpful.

And in this day and age, it looks perfectly normal to be talking to yourself. Especially if you hold a cell phone to your ear while you’re doing it!

Sources:

“Why we keep losing our keys” Sumathi Reddy, April 14, 2014, The Wall Street Journal, online.wsj.com