Memory loss is sadly one of those things that’s hard to avoid when you approach the latter stages of your life. We’re not discussing the very minor short-term forgetfulness you experience when you put the washing on and forget to take it out later on. It’s the proper deep memory loss that comes about from conditions like Alzheimer’s, and one of the unspoken things about memory loss is what this does to you as a person..

Most of the time, people say the same things about memory loss. You hear that it can be a “struggle” and a “burden” that impacts your mental health. While this is true, there are plenty of unspoken things nobody tells you about suffering from memory loss. It’s not until you go through it yourself – or witness someone close to you suffer – that you realize how profoundly difficult it is.

The hardest aspect of all is that too many people are underprepared for the effects of memory loss. In turn, this makes it even harder to deal with because you’re not expecting certain things to happen or be so challenging. Today, we’re going to shine a light on many of the unspoken and heartbreaking things you likely don’t know about memory loss.

Four unspoken things about memory loss:

1. You Don’t Forget Everything

Dealing with memory loss doesn’t mean you forget everything and everyone. For a lot of people (particularly in the early stages), it’s almost like having a very interrupted sleep. One moment you’re out, the next you’re awake – and sometimes you’re awake for hours before going back to sleep.

That’s just a silly metaphor, but you can see what we’re getting at. There will be moments of lucidity, even when memory loss is at its worst, where you remember people or things. In the early phases, you’re highly likely to remember a lot about your recent life; it’ll be things from your past that fade away first.

The point is, you can still cling to these lucid moments even in the darkest of times. When you or someone you love is diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s, it helps to arrange something in anticipation of these lucid days or moments. Agree that you’ll try to “save” these moments by taking videos or photos so there’s an everlasting “memory” of them. It can be extremely helpful to those unaffected by memory loss, as they can look back on the lucid moments with fondness.

2. The Mental Impact Is More Significant Than You Think

It’s no secret that struggling with memory loss will be detrimental to your mental health. However, most people don’t understand how significant this is. Dealing with memory loss will have a huge toll on your mental well-being, and it leads to immense feelings of embarrassment and shame. You know you should remember certain things, but you can’t, and this makes you sort of retract inside yourself like a turtle going into their shell.

It’s a defense mechanism, but it only makes the problem worse.

Why? Because mental health conditions like depression are already heavily linked with memory loss. People suffering from depression are known to go through periods where they can’t remember things or deal with brain fog. It’s far too easy to be consumed by the darkness when you experience memory loss, which leads to depression, and this heightens your symptoms and makes it even harder to remember things.

With that in mind, you need to prepare yourself or others for the mental impact of memory loss when you notice the early warning signs. Speak to a therapist or talk to those around you so you don’t feel so alone and can avoid those feelings of shame and anxiety. It helps a lot – and it can make memory loss less of a mental battle.

3. You Can Do Things To Slow Down Memory Loss

Perhaps the most heartbreaking things about memory loss is that you can do things to combat and slow down memory loss – even if it’s quite bad. The effects are much better in the earlier stages, where things like physical activity, brain training games, and social interaction can promote brain health and decrease the rate of cognitive decline.

However, even when you’re deep into memory loss, seeking out memory care services can help slow things down and improve the situation. Something as simple as being within a little community or taking part in regular mental stimulation games can help people cling to memories and experience more lucidity. The point is that everyone thinks memory loss is a slippery slope that only leads in one direction, fast.

That’s not always the case! If you do things early on, you can slow down your descent and get so many more years or decades of good brain health. People with severe memory loss may be unable to reclaim their memories, but the right treatment at least makes their lives comfortable and can stop even worse memory loss from happening.

4. There Can Still Be Moments Of Light

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that memory loss will always be doom and gloom. Sure, if you or someone you love suffers from Dementia, then it’s going to be mostly an uphill battle. There will undoubtedly be more bad times than good – but there can still be moments of light!

Look for any opportunity to laugh and smile with your loved ones and embrace those moments. This is particularly important when you’re caring for someone with memory loss because it’s all too easy to grieve for them early on. You always have an air of sadness whenever you’re around them, but look for those moments of light. Make them laugh, try to show them old photos or videos that may trigger memories, and make the absolute most out of the lucid moments so you can remember them instead of the bad times.

This post isn’t designed to make you think that memory loss isn’t a big deal; it is. It simply exists to point out some unspoken things about memory loss that you probably didn’t know about beforehand. Hopefully, this can help you prepare for memory loss in your later life or understand what to expect if a loved one suffers.