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So, I have been losing things for over a year. Mainly it is my glasses. I have numerous pairs throughout the house. I lost a pair of sunglasses last year and found them 2 seasons later still outside on the lawn. Just last week, same thing, lost a pair of glasses and where were they? on the side lawn buried under leaves, (leaves must have fallen on them after I placed them there). Funny thing is that I don't even remember putting them down. And just today, I was out putting down some grass seed and I had a bucket, seed, a small trowel, and a rake, and yes, I lost the trowel. Probably buried under the huge pile of leaves to the side, I guess, I don't really know. I wasn't even out there that long and yet I still managed to misplace something. Lost numerous small pruning shears throughout the years. It is really getting to be super annoying already. I was never like this before. Yet, I am not forgetful about anything else. Is this due to stress, old age, menopause or what? Anyone else have this happen.


I should also note this seemed to start several years back when I was backing my car out of the garage and ripped the car door off. I couldn't image what the noise was, until I realized the door was still open. I thought that maybe I should slow down and not move so fast.

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One thing I learned is to say out loud "putting my glasses on the kitchen counter", and for some reason the brain will remember that. It's just remembering to say it out loud :P
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Everyone loses things. Glasses are a common problem.
My dH tries to help me, by moving them from where I left them.

Heidi,
It is a good idea to slow down.
You can go to your local senior center to exercise and have more mental stimulation by social contact, which would in turn help your memory.
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anonymous971239 Nov 2019
I am 62, hardly a senior. And might I add, most assume I am in my 50's. I take care of my 91 year old mother and prior to that my 93 year old father. They are the ones that need mental stimulation---I get plenty, maybe too much, hence the losing things. Thanks for you well meaning comment just the same.
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For me, it means that I am distracted by to much stress.

I don't think that we care very well for ourselves when we are dealing with our elderly parents and that starts showing up in the small things, like unconsciously setting items down and forgetting them or not having a mental picture of what we did, because we are a 1000 miles away from what we are doing mentally.

I have found that having one place that I keep items and mindfully putting them in their place has saved me many hours of playing hide and seek.

I recommend getting a bag, bucket, wagon or whatever to take with you while doing yardwork and that will give you a designed place to set items down.

Stress and worry are hard on our memories, don't worry about this, find solutions.
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Now that I am in my 60's I find that certain things I used to do automatically, without thinking, may not be 100% reliable anymore. I used to be able to set my glasses down anywhere and my mind would automatically remember where they were. Now I have to be more cognizant of things that I do. Multitasking and stress are definitely culprits that can interfere with performance. Stress is HUGE for me and I take proactive steps to reduce it. Positive things you can do for your brain as you age include 1) meditation and mindfulness practice which provide "exercise" for you brain and sharpen your sense perception; 2) cardiovascular exercise which improves brain function, and 3) learning a brand new skill which develops new neural pathways.
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My dream therapist would say that losing your glasses constantly is part of the mind not wanting to see something or telling you there's something you aren't seeing. What is going on when you take them off? What are you thinking about or doing? Is it the waking mind that keeps many pairs around, but the dreaming self (soul self or unconscious) that keeps losing them? I would try to look at it that way instead of trying to be better at not losing the glasses, which reinforces the conscious self and ignores the unconscious that might be trying to speak.
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anonymous971239 Nov 2019
Interesting concept, I will think about this more.
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That is why I never take my phone with me when I work in the yard, I will either bury it or water it down...not good!

You are fine, just possibly over stressed...happens to all of us!
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I found the trowel. Yippee
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Trying to do too many things at one time. Too much on your mind. See a doctor if you are truly concerned.
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multitasking =
halfassing 3 things at one time .
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I have been doing this for about two decades, so I wouldn't overworry it. It is part of the aging process, I think. Just as when you forget what you went to a room for, but when you return to the last room it comes to mind at once. It can also be just moving fast, the lack of being able to multitask as we once did. It can also have something to do with anxiety. What you are describing is pretty normal for many of us.
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Sounds to me like you just aren't paying close attention to what you're doing....you're operating on remote; out of habit, while focused on something else entirely. I sell things on eBay and when I'm photographing items, I can't seem to keep track of where I put ANYTHING. It drives me CRAZY, but I know I'm not getting dementia....I'm just not paying attention, that's all. Once I set my mind TO paying closer attention, things get a lot better. But I have to make a concerted effort each time
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Spectacles are my problem too. Fortunately my eyes have the same prescription, so chemist specs work fine for me. I have eight pairs, each for a particular place, and each with a different colour frame – one for the bathroom, the kitchen, bedside, living room, the car etc. I just put them down where I am when I take them off. I still lose pairs occasionally, but I can easily find another pair before I locate the missing set.

Garden tools are another thing. I have a trowel in each place I use it, and I don’t have as many leaves as you do.

I have never had a good sense of location. I’m grateful that I have never ripped a door off my car, but it does have a few dings in it.

As long as you stay safe, frankly I wouldn’t bother about temporary losses. Life it too short!
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