The Persistence of Memory

A Message From the Grumpy Doc

I turned 77 this year, and like many folks my age, I’ve started to worry about my memory.

I’ve always had a good memory. I rarely needed to write anything down, and I almost never forgot a name, a face, or an appointment. But those days are slipping away. Now, I rely on my phone to remember birthdays, to-do lists, and lunch dates. A buzz in my pocket has replaced what used to live in my head.

I tell myself this is normal. That I don’t need to remember so much anymore because technology is doing the heavy lifting. But truth be told, I’m not buying it. I worry about how much is fading and how fast.

I’ve talked to many friends my age, and they share the same quiet concern. So that got me thinking:
What exactly is memory? How does it work? And is there anything we can do to preserve it, or even reverse the decline?

---

What Is Memory, Anyway?

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines memory as:

“...the power or process of reproducing or recalling what has been learned and retained especially through associative mechanisms.”

Helpful? Not really.

It’s a technical description, but it doesn’t tell you much about what memory feels like when it’s working or when it isn’t.

I prefer Salvador Dalí’s version. In his famous painting, The Persistence of Memory, clocks melt like soft cheese in the sun. Time passes. Reality bends. But something still lingers. Memory persists, even if it warps and wobbles along the way. Dalí got something right: memory isn’t concrete, it’s fluid, flexible, and deeply tied to perception.

---

The Many Faces of Memory

One key thing to understand: memory is not a single ability. It’s a collection of related systems working together.

Here are a few of the major types:

• Working memory helps you hold short-term information—like a phone number while you’re dialing it. When this falters, tasks like balancing a checkbook or following directions become a slog.

• Episodic memory is your personal storybook. It stores life events, conversations, and emotional experiences. When you start forgetting recent interactions or what you did yesterday, this is the part of your memory that’s affected.

• Semantic memory covers facts, vocabulary, and general knowledge. It helps you remember the name of an object or understand that keys open doors. Struggling to find the right word in conversation? That’s your semantic memory glitching.

• Prospective memory is your future-thinking. It reminds you to go to appointments, take your meds, or show up to dinner. Ever walk into a room and forget why? That’s a little hiccup in prospective memory. (Unless it’s the bathroom—I always remember why I’m there.)

---

Is It Dementia?

This is the elephant in the room. Most of us fear dementia more than heart attacks or cancer.

But it’s important to remember: not all memory loss is dementia.

So what’s normal?

• It’s normal to forget the date.

• It’s not normal to forget what year it is.

• It’s normal to search for a word.

• It’s not normal to forget how to hold a conversation.

• It’s normal to forget someone’s name.

• It’s not normal to forget who they are.

Here’s a strange but true comfort: if you’re worried about your memory, you’re probably okay. People with dementia often don’t notice their decline, everyone around them does.

---

Other Causes of Memory Trouble

Before you panic about Alzheimer’s, consider more common and often reversible, causes of memory impairment:

1. Medications (Polypharmacy)

Many older adults are on multiple prescriptions. Some of the worst memory offenders?

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

• Sleep aids

• Anxiety meds

• Strong painkillers

• Parkinson’s drugs

Mix any of these with alcohol and the confusion can get worse. If you're concerned, ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your meds.

2. Dehydration, Poor Sleep, and Inactivity

Yes, older adults still need regular sleep and exercise. Walking just 30 minutes a day can boost memory and brain health almost immediately.

3. Anxiety and Depression

Both can masquerade as memory problems. In fact, the term pseudodementia is used to describe depression-related cognitive decline. It looks like memory loss—but it often improves with treatment.

4. Chronic Illness and Inflammation

Conditions like poorly controlled diabetes can inflame the body and cloud the brain. Proper management can help.

5. Nutrition

The Mediterranean diet, rich in fish, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, has been linked to slower cognitive decline.

---

What You Can Do

If you’re concerned, start with your doctor. Be honest. They may ask awkward questions, but it’s not judgment—it’s medicine.

Once you’ve ruled out reversible causes, here’s what you can do to protect your memory:

• Avoid alcohol and tobacco. There is no safe level of cigarette use. And oral tobacco, vaping, and even “moderate” alcohol use can increase inflammation that harms memory.

• Exercise regularly. You don’t need to train for a triathlon. Walking is enough—just stay consistent and don’t overdo it at first.

• Prioritize sleep. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Good sleep consolidates memory, helps regulate weight and blood sugar, and clears toxins from your brain.

• Stay socially active. Strong relationships and community involvement protect the brain. Isolation, on the other hand, accelerates decline.

• Keep learning. Reading, writing, puzzles, games, and new hobbies stimulate the brain. Starting this blog was my way of fighting back. I had to learn website management, writing routines, and even voice recognition software. (I’m too old to start typing!)

---

Can’t I Just Take a Pill?

For decades, we’ve heard that a miracle pill for dementia is just around the corner. But so far, most of them have fallen short.

Some medications can slow the decline—but none can reverse it. In fact, lifestyle changes—like fixing your meds, staying active, and engaging with others—are still the most effective tools we have.

---

Final Thought from The Grumpy Doc

The best way to keep your memory sharp?
Keep living your life.

Make new memories. Move your body. Engage your mind. Stay curious. Stay connected.

And the next time we cross paths, feel free to tell me all about what you’ve been up to—even if it takes me a minute to remember your name.