Forgetful at times? See possible causes.

Forgetful at times? See possible causes.

Many people worry about becoming forgetful as they age.  They think forgetfulness is the first sign of Alzheimer’s disease.  But forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging. Misplacing your glasses or taking longer to remember names are usually signs of mild forgetfulness, not serious memory problems.

See some causes of mild forgetfulness.

To learn more about memory problems that can occur with age, including dementia, see “Forgetfulness: Knowing When to Ask for Help,” an Age Page from the National Institute on Aging at NIH.

The information on Alzheimer’s Disease was developed for NIHSeniorHealth by the National Institute on Aging (NIA).