Nearly everyone over 50 jokes about “senior moments,” those momentary memory lapses that seem to multiply as one ages.
“No matter how much we laugh at ourselves, each misplaced set of keys or hard-to-remember phone number can become an occasion for worry,” said Eileen Goldman, director of the S.F.-based Jewish Family and Children’s Services program called Seniors At Home.
“The unspoken question behind the jokes is, `Is it Alzheimer’s or is it normal aging?'”
Dr. Steven J. Holtz, assistant clinical professor of neurology at UCSF and a specialist in Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, said that people who are aging normally “tend to be aware of their own forgetfulness.
“If you think you have Alzheimer’s, you probably don’t.”
Holtz will be the main speaker at “Everything You Wanted to Know About Dementia, but Forgot to Ask,” a free health forum that includes memory screening. JFCS is presenting the forum on Sunday, Sept. 27, at San Francisco’s Congregation Sherith Israel. Pfizer Pharmaceuticals is co-sponsoring the event.
“So many people have misconceptions about memory loss and aging,” Goldman said.
Holtz agrees.
“The more we know about Alzheimer’s and dementias caused by strokes and other diseases, the less we have to fear,” Holtz said.
He describes dementia as a group of problems that affect intellectual functioning and language. The ability to communicate is generally one of the first areas affected, which can be extremely frustrating for family members.
About four years ago, Rita and Roger Pollack of San Francisco noticed that Roger’s mother, Freda, was repeating herself as if she had no recollection of what she just said.
“I sensed that something was wrong when Freda recited the shopping list to me at least 10 times during one conversation,” Rita Pollack said.
Freda Pollack’s functioning deteriorated even further following a stroke a year and a half later. That’s when Roger and Rita Pollack and their two young adult daughters rearranged their lives so that his mother could move in with them.
“We’re Jewish, and our extended family is important to us,” Roger Pollack said. “I’d like to see my mother be as happy as she can be.”
The Pollacks also turned to JFCS.
“Memory loss is not the end of the world,” Goldman said. “There’s lots we can do to help families put safeguards in place and give families respite.”
JFCS caseworker Courtney Blair helped arrange for a set of neuropsychiatric tests for Freda Pollack. Blair also made arrangements for her to attend a daytime program for adults at Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco, providing companionship and a break for families.
“When an older adult starts displaying memory loss, it’s very important to get tested because some kinds of memory loss are reversible,” Blair said. “When symptoms appear people are quick to assume it’s Alzheimer’s or dementia when the cause may be as simple as mild depression.”
That seems to be the case for Judy Hoff’s widowed mother, Bertha Schless.
“My mom has been tested at the memory center at UCSF for the past four years. She’s now on a new wonder memory-drug and has moved into an independent living situation where she has fewer responsibilities and a more active social life,” said Hoff, who lives in Los Altos Hills. “Her whole outlook on life has changed. It’s a real turn around.”
Cases like that are no surprise to Holtz.
“There are many things you can do, both medically and in terms of lifestyle interventions, to slow the process down,” he said.
Holtz recommends that individuals with memory loss live in a consistent, safe, familiar environment. “You never want to take someone with dementia to the mall,” he said with a laugh.
On the other hand, taking someone who is suffering from memory loss to synagogue may be very comforting.
“For people who are observant, the ritual and familiarity of services may be something they can remember and enjoy with their families,” said Maureen Samson, a geriatric caseworker at JFCS and former president of Congregation Beth Sholom in San Francisco. “When it is important for someone to get to temple, JFCS can organize volunteers to provide safe transportation.”