Senior Moments

By Christine Gorman

Ever spent half an hour looking for your car keys? Or walked into a room only to wonder what you were looking for? Or forgotten what day of the week it is? Not to worry. Occasional memory lapses are normal and not, as you might secretly fear, an early sign of Alzheimer's disease. Still, it's sometimes difficult even for doctors to recognize where normal forgetfulness stops and more serious memory problems begin. A guidebook published last week by the American Medical Association should make the job easier.

As you might expect from a book with the unimaginative title Diagnosis, Management and Treatment of Dementia: A Practical Guide for Primary Care Physicians, the text is somewhat technical. However, it contains a lot of information useful to the layperson as well. The descriptions of the simple tests used to measure a person's cognitive ability--for example, drawing a clock face--are particularly good at demystifying the often complex process of diagnosis. You can order the guide for $5 ($3 if you're a member of the A.M.A.) by calling 312-464-5563.

Most cases of dementia, or prolonged mental confusion, are indeed caused by Alzheimer's disease. But you should also look for memory problems caused by taking one or more medications. (The combination of Tagamet and Valium, for example, can trigger a mind-numbing buildup of the tranquilizer in the body.) So be sure to tell your doctor every medication you or a loved one is taking, including over-the-counter remedies and dietary supplements.

Don't overlook depression. Social isolation or the death of friends and family can shatter anyone's mental state but is particularly difficult to bear with advancing age. Even patients with clear-cut dementia and depression are less confused when their depression is treated.

Don't give up even if you or a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Although there is as yet no cure, and the available drugs are basically stopgap measures, there is still a lot you can do to ensure the best quality of life. Start by having a frank conversation about treatment options, and designate someone as a health-care proxy to make sure those plans are carried out. Most patients with early Alzheimer's can still make good decisions about future care.

There are also several clinical trials to consider joining. One of the more intriguing trials will determine whether vitamin E or an Alzheimer's drug called Aricept can prevent dementia from developing in people who are at greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease because they have what is called mild cognitive impairment. To learn more about this and other experimental studies, call 800-438-4380 or visit www.alzheimers.org/trials

If you are caring for someone with dementia, be sure you also take care of yourself--for your own and your patient's sake. Contact the Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org for support groups and adult day-care centers. It also runs an invaluable service called Safe Return, which helps with searches for Alzheimer's patients who wander from home. Whether you suffer dementia or love someone who does, the condition is difficult enough to cope with without trying to face it alone.

For more on Alzheimer's disease or dementia, visit time.com/personal You can send Christine e-mail at gorman@time.com