dad getting forgetful anything to worry about.

red_devil

Dad nearly 81 forgetful, just things like needs to write everything down or wont remember. Meant to phone me at usual time last week but didnt ring forgot and went out. When i caught up with him he said sorry i forgot and forgot to write it down.

All well apart from this, is this the start of anything though.

elsien

People can get more forgetful as they get older, it's a normal part of the ageing process and doesn't necessarily mean it's anything more sinister.
If it's worrying him and he's not seen his GP for a while he could go for a general MOT (always rule out the physical first) and mention it while he's there. Is there anything on his mind? He's got 30 years on me and I have the memory of a goldfish when I'm stressed.
Otherwise I'd just see if there's anything else you can help him set up to assist his memory, and see how it goes.

peachyprice

I have to write things down at 49 lest I forget, I think he's doing remarkably well starting at 81

Goldiegirl

It might be the start of something - it might not.

It like to write lists of things to do, and I'm 53! Also, sometimes my dad used to forget to phone me at an agreed time - but he didn't have any other memory issues.

But, on the other hand, it could be the start of something else. My mum had dementia, and in the early stages she'd tell me something, and five minutes later she'd start the same conversation. Another time, she went to visit her friend of 50 years, but got lost on the way, and walked around for about an hour until she found somewhere she recognised - in this was in the neighbourhood she'd lived in all her life.

If you are concerned, maybe you could persuade him to go to the doctors. There are memory tests that they can do, and there are drugs which they say can slow down the effects of dementia.

red_devil

Thanks for that.