How can I tell if a loved one is having memory problems?

Dr. Michael Roizen, MD

Internal Medicine

When trying to determine if a family member is having serious memory trouble, ask him what he had for dinner or to describe current events, or give him three objects to remember and ﬁve minutes later ask him what they are. If he has trouble with any of those questions, it's an indication that something's going wrong with his short-term memory—one of the signs of a serious cognitive dysfunction.

More About this Book

You: Staying Young: The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty

International bestselling authors of YOU: The Owner's Manual and YOU: On a Diet give you all the tools and know-how to stay young and defy the ageing process. Drawing lively parallels between your...

Continue Learning about Memory Loss

Forgot something? You’re not alone. One in eight baby boomers has memory lapses, at least once in a while, a recent survey says. And whether you’ve fo...

Shelley Peterman Schwarz

Avoid omissions in your checkbook register by using duplicate checks. If you forget to write in ...

Eric Pfeiffer

Benign forgetfulness happens to the majority of people over age 65. It is annoying but not serious. ...

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.