My elderly parent seems very forgetful. He forgets to take his medication and he frequently loses his keys. I am worried. What should I do?
Memory does change with age but it is not true that all memory declines with age. It depends on the memory type and the situation of the individual. The following are indications that further evaluation by a professional and attending physician should to be considered:
- Unable to balance a checkbook
- Finding misplaced items in inappropriate locations (such as finding missing keys in the refrigerator)
- Difficulty performing everyday tasks
- Car accidents
- Unable to recognize familiar faces
- Difficulty remembering time and place
- Over or under medicating
- Repeating the same information (or making repeated telephone calls) and not remembering
- Loss of several hours
