Do you have moments when you:
-forgot a name or word?
-what you went to the kitchen for?
-forgot your PIN or postal district number, even though you use them frequently?
This illusive name or word suddenly jumps up at you when you least expect it, and when you are not thinking about it.
These temporary mental lapses, mental glitches, momentary forgetfulness, are known as senior moments. This term was probably first used in 1996. A synonym for senior moment is brain fart, don’t ask me why. The scientific name is literal paraphasia.
Are senior moments a precursor of dementia?
Senior moments can start as early as 40 years of age. Memory loss is one of the key symptoms of dementia. There is a possibility that when senior moments become very frequent, they can be signs of cognitive impairment, which can progress to dementia.
However, it is being unaware of memory loss that is an indicator of dementia. In other words, when you forget that you have forgotten. Only worry when you don’t notice that you have forgotten, when you are unaware of a failing memory.
Other symptoms pointing towards dementia include:
-inability to do tasks that require concentration and planning
-depression
-changes in personality and mood
-periods of confusion
-difficulty in finding the right words
How do you Reduce Senior Moments?
–reduce multi-tasking, do one thing at a time
-when you suddenly remember the elusive word, repeat it several times to reinforce your memory
-compensate by using lists and other memory aids, use mnemonics
-fudge it by using another word
Joe Biden’s Senior Moments
The US President is well known for his many gaffes and senior moments. One which I distinctly recall is his reference to the Australian Prime Minister as that fella down under instead of Scott Morrison.
Good News
The good news is that senior moments don’t generally impair functioning, even though we ourselves feel embarrassed.
lingsinglin
Dr Ling Sing Lin is a medical doctor by training. She worked in MOH HQ for many years, in policy making and administrative positions, until her retirement.
