I'm 58 and sometimes I get words mixed-up. Could I be getting dementia?

Me too! Same age, 3 teens at home, mother in care, pets... and a vocabulary that is too frequently reduced to pointing a finger at ‘that thingy’. Forgetting what I planned upon entering a room. Might as well grab a snack or pee while I’m here! (OR, not AND)

But I can still tell you my kids’ current measurements, brand of jeans that fit each one best, shoe sizes, favourite colours for decor and for clothing (different aesthetic), upcoming events, summer job schedules, et cetera, so I think it’s all cool.

Anyone else ready to drink every time they hear their teen daughter use the word “aesthetic”?

Having talked with peers, it seems we’re overwhelmed with stress, broken sleep, hormones, aches, and general chaos. I can’t keep as many balls in the air as I used to.

I certainly worry - a lot - that my brain will break and I’ll become like my mother. But I’m not putting my meds in envelopes to mail to myself, nor my keys under the bathroom sink, nor socks in with legal documents nor pj pants in the fridge, so I think I’m good.

But I am sorting my excess stuff to make life easier... just in case.

First thing is to stay calm about this. As MANY have previously mentioned, you have a lot going on. The caregiving along with menopause is significant, and that kind of stress leads to "stuff" for all of us. It's just like when our kids were young and super busy/ arguing, we would call them everyone's name but their own. Don't worry. That said, it's always best to mention this to you primary care physician next time you're there. There are various screening tools/interviews that can help your doc to determine if there is anything to be concerned about. My PCP did a baseline memory screen on me a couple of years ago. Personally, I believe that seeing a neurologist at this point is a bit extreme.

There are multiple things that could be causing your word problems. I have been "losing" my words for a while. Just came back from having a long discussion with my doctor about this. He did some testing. He knows the stress that I have been under for the past 2 years (hubby sudden diagnosis of cancer, mother 99 yrs old falling and breaking an ankle that was never set properly, caregiver responsibilities for both. I am an only child with no children so it is all on me), and in my doctor's opinion he believes the stress is causing my "lost words". He did some tests and at the present time doesn't think it is dementia/ALZ or a type of aphasia. He has suggested anti anxiety medication or talk therapy with a good therapist.

I hope not! This is me and has been me for all my life!