Where Did I Leave My Glasses?: The What, When, and Why of Normal Memory Loss

There is that niggling little fear that you've forgotten something, it happens to all of us, usually regardless of age. My friend Shelly was talking to me on the phone and she asked me, "Hey, do you know this woman, um, she's on my caller ID?" I ask, "What's her name?" Shelly responds, "I don't know, I can't remember, I have to find the phone and look at caller ID." I'm quiet while Shelly ambles through her house looking for her phone, which as best I know, since I'm on the other end, is attached to her hand and ear. Shelly's staccato laughs, "Oh, I am so dumb, I have the phone in my hand." Exactly! Author MARTHA WEINMAN Lear with sensitivity and wit talks about all the feelings that accompany the fact that we think we're going into early senile dementia when we forget small details, for example, that I often forget the name of a parent of one of my children's friends. I can't keep track of all of them, most of the time they are just a voice on the other end of the phone line, and then I'll see them at the market and I can't remember which kid is friends with their kid, and who is their kid anyway? But baffling enough I remember their face. According to Lear and her research, this is absolutely normal. This is not early senile dementia. There are also easy ways to remember things. Some easy ways to remember things are: make lists; associate someone's name with a rhyme, or a factoid about them. Remember that you just met Chuck Stein and he has a black Lab named Zorro. Every time you see Chuck, you ask how the Lab is doing, even if you can't remember Chuck's name. Memorize by repetition at certain intervals. For example, repeat a person's name, then wait ten seconds and repeat it gain, then wait twenty seconds and repeat. Incrementally increase the time between repetitions and your memory will improve. A fantastic book filled with levity related to a grave concern a lot of people have about memory loss, along with great advice on how to grasp the information you need that is just out of reach, and don't forget, it's perfectly normal. Armchair Interviews says: Good news. It's perfectly normal.

"Where Did I Leave My Glasses" is well worth reading....for anyone over 45 or so ( and maybe for their children). I found it educational, reassuring, helpful and at the same time hopeful, funny and a pleasure.

In order to understand Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, it is important to understand normal age related memory loss. Lear discusses "middle aged forgetfulness" in a way that is informative and entertaining. She also compares normal memory loss with memory impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. After reading this book, most middle agers are relieved that their forgetfulness is expected. Boomers who are concerned about their parent's memory problems discover when to seek professional help for their elderly loved ones. As a professional working with seniors, I reinforced my knowledge or memory impairment. Also I am so happy Lear stressed the importance of eating right and getting both mental and physical exercise. I hope you, as a reader of this review, follow her tips regarding these areas. Mental and physical exercise is oh so important even if someone already has any of the dementias, including Alzheimer's disease. Of course, the approach is of the utmost importance here. Thank you Ms. Lear for this most enlightening, yet amusing look at memory By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby: Meaningful, Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones, and Involved Professionals [...]

This is an outstanding book, wonderfully well-written, entertaining, amusing and at the same time very informative. It is extensively well researched and covers the topic thoroughly. This is a subject that is timely and should be of great general interest, especially to those over 40. I learned a great deal and couldnt have enjoyed this marvelous book more. A+

It should come as a relief to know that we are in this memory thing together. From the moment I saw the title of this book, I knew it was a necessary read. Several members of my family have dementia. Memory loss has concerned me for several years. At 50+, I can tell my memory is not what it used to be. Where Did I Leave My Glasses discusses normal memory loss. One chapter is devoted to dementia. I found the information extremely reassuring. I had over looked the fact that my father's family tends to live well into their 90's, and the onset of their extreme memory loss came in their late 80's. It seems that memory loss is a natural part of aging. My personal view is that our bodies tend to outlive our minds. Not too many years ago, the average length of life was 50. Now the average length of life is 80. Perhaps people just did not live long enough to suffer severe memory loss. As age increases, memory decreases. When I was younger, I was very good at multitasking; now I am very good at making lists and writing notes to myself. Of course, I forget to look at the lists and the notes, but just the act of writing something down helps me to remember. Our memory also seems to grow selective. We tend to remember things from our own perspective. Lear approaches a frightening and complex subject with sensitivity, humor, and common sense. I felt much more confident and at ease after having read Where Did I Leave My Glasses. This is a must read for baby boomers and their children. Kudos to Martha Weinman Lear.