How do you know your memory is going if you cannot remember it?

Question

Are people aware there memory fades as they get older, or are they unaware of it most of time, unless someone else tells them of course...

Answer 1

Yeah they are not aware of it

Answer 2

I am a 52 year old gentleman who has had (3) three strokes and while I was younger ;in 1969; I was crushed by a tree in a storm and laid in a coma for several weeks -and- yes, that and all that happened to me;was; in fact; told to me by a friend who was with me but did not get as injured as did I. All that being said: the Nero guys now say that I have a brain the age of an 80-some-thing year old man and that accident -and- the fact that medicine was where it was on July 4th 1969; is; in most part; a lot of the reason that I have trouble- BUT - I can definitively tell the questionnaire that: I have had a wrench thrown into the machine that called itself my brain and I have more problems than I shall burden you with. The 1st stroke was the worst one, the second, I
guess just compounded an already weakened state. It does help as was stated by the question ask-er; to assist folks that you can.
My poor bride has a hand full w/ me and I am sure there are days that I have probably asked her the same thing eight or 10 times. I hope this gives a bit of insight as I try to look from inside out.
P.S.
We watched my Uncle Jack die from Alzheimer's.

Answer 3

Most people in the family notice it. In the early stages of Alzheimer's they know that they have misplaced something but think it is normal. Even in later stages of dementia they do not believe they have forgot something they will look for it for hours. Most people do not realize they are losing their memory because their long term memory is still there that is something most people always have. Some people do forget bits and pieces of these memory but all the important ones (family, jobs, and friends) are there almost to the end. And when people lose their memory they do not take it very easily if you say "you must of forgot" or "don't you remember". Because they can not.

Answer 4

I think they are aware in the early stages but just don't want to acknowledge it. It could start with something as simple as forgetting appointments, forgetting to run errands (and I mean all the time)...but at the later stage I don't think they even realize how bad it is until someone points it out.

Answer 5

You are aware when your memory is going when more often than not u stand up appointments because of forgetting and people are always reminding you of things you should have done but you forgot.

Answer 6

You eventually become aware of what you have forgotten. ie if you forget appointments, leave a cup of tea undrunk etc. Once you cannot understand that you have forgotten, then you probably have dementia.

Now where did I put those glasses? Don't you remember dad, you broke them yesterday. Or even worse, you never wore glasses dad.

Answer 7

Well, if they have Alzheimer's Disease, then they are not aware that they are losing their memory.

Normally people can tell small things, but yeah you do have to remind people that they have already said something or something like that sometimes.

Answer 8

...which is exactly why it is sooooooo good to journal! i go back and read stuff i wrote that happened 4 months ago and already forgot. they say the dullest pencil is better than the sharpest memory...write it down!

Answer 9

Yes..I bought a cucumber yesterday.

Answer 10

most of the time, friends notice this. basically you feel kinda weird about remebering things