Everyone experiences memory loss throughout their lives, from forgetting the name of a new acquaintance to misplacing an item. As we age, however, forgetfulness becomes more worrying. Our aging bodies experience changes in a number of ways, and cognitive functioning is no exception. That being said, not all “senior moments” necessarily indicate dementia. Sometimes the reason for forgetfulness, aches and pains, sleepiness, or mood changes is simply “a case of the birthdays.” *

This is my term for natural age-related mental and physical changes. Many people caring for their aging loved ones are hypersensitive to these changes. It is, of course, a good idea to pay attention to such things when tracking potential health conditions. But it is also important to remember what comes with each candle added to the birthday cake-more acquaintances, friends, and family members… more sights, smells, words, and feelings.