EP163: Difference between Alzheimer's Disease and Forgetfulness

This Is Getting Old Podcast with Melissa B PhD

While forgetfulness is normal, be wary of the warning signs of Alzheimer's and dementia. —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN

Let’s dive into this week’s episode where I’ll be talking about the Difference between Alzheimer’s Disease and Forgetfulness.

Forgetfulness happens during those moments when you can't find your phone or you forget what you were going to say. It's totally normal and happens to everyone.

Dementia, on the other hand, is a bigger deal. It doesn't go away. It affects how your brain works and makes it hard to remember things, like your friend's name or where you live. It can also make you feel confused and change the way you act.

While forgetfulness is normal, if someone has a lot of trouble remembering things all the time, like where they live or who their family is, it might be something more serious like dementia. So let’s talk about the differences.

✔️ What is Forgetfulness? Forgetfulness is when you occasionally forget things, like where you put something but then you can remember it later. It's a little hiccup in your memory, but usually nothing to worry too much about.

It happens to everyone sometimes, and it can be caused by stress, tiredness, or doing too many things at once. Forgetfulness by itself doesn't mean someone has a serious illness like Alzheimer's.

Important things about forgetfulness: ● Sometimes Forgetting ● Happens in Certain Situations ● Doesn't Get Worse Over Time

✔️ What is Alzheimer’s Disease or a related Dementia? ● Forgetting Things: People with Alzheimer's often have trouble remembering things they just learned, names, and events. ● Thinking Problems: As time goes on, people with Alzheimer's can have trouble with thinking, making decisions, and using language. ● Changes in Behavior: Alzheimer's can also make people act differently, like being confused, easily irritated, or withdrawing from friends and family. ● Problems Doing Things. As the disease gets worse, people might find it hard to do basic things like getting dressed, eating, or taking care of themselves. ● Gets Worse Over Time.

So, the next time you forget where you put your shoes, don't worry too much. But if you notice someone having a hard time remembering lots of things all the time, it's a good idea to talk to a provider to make sure everything is okay. Understanding the difference can help us support those who might need a little extra help.

To get your free download of the 10 Warning Signs of Dementia compared to normal forgetfulness in aging, visit https://melissabphd.com/10warningsigns/

And don’t forget to join my new community on Facebook called This is Getting Old: Moving Towards an Age-Friendly World where I’m able to connect with you in a more interactive way. I hope to see you there!

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About MelissaBPhD Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN. I am a nurse, nurse practitioner, nurse educator and nurse researcher with over 25 years of experience in the aging and long-term care healthcare space. You can visit my website at MelissaBPhD.com to learn more about me, how you can work with me directly, and/or support future episodes of the podcast. Within the first 18 months of launching this podcast, we reached a ranking of top 10% globally. I have all of you who’ve been with me on this journey so far to thank for that!

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