In general, men and women are affected the same way as they age. Elderly people often write down information so they won't forget. They do very well in functioning in everyday life, and the quality of that life can be high. Losing One's Past ut when people begin to experience memory loss, it can be frightening. One of the greatest fears people have about growing old is that they will lose their memory, says Smith.
People are afraid because if they lose their memory, they've lost control of their lives.
But just because you notice memory change does not mean you're not healthy. Severe memory loss that would be considered a form of dementia is not an inevitable part of growing old, he explains. Only about 12 percent of older Americans suffer from dementia characterized by memory loss, confusion or disorientation. Only about 5 percent of the population over 65 will experience Alzheimer's disease, a neurological disorder of the brain, Smith says. It's not a normal progression of aging.