In many ways, our memories shape who we are. They make up our
internal biographies—the stories we tell ourselves about what
we've done with our lives. They tell us who we're connected to,
who we've touched during our lives, and who has touched us. In
short, our memories are crucial to the essence of who we are as
human beings. Age-related memory loss, then, can represent a
loss of self. It also affects the practical side of life.
Forgetting how to get from your house to the grocery store, how
to do everyday tasks, or how you are connected to family
members, friends, and other people can mean losing your ability
to live independently. It's not surprising, then, that concerns
about declining thinking and memory skills rank among the top
fears people have as they age. There's no getting around the
fact that the ability to remember can slip with age. Many of
these changes are normal, and not a sign of dementia. Improving
Memory: Understanding age-related memory loss helps you
understand the difference between nor