Serious mental decline is not a normal part of aging.
As people age, it’s normal to have occasional memory problems, such as forgetting the name of a person you recently met.  Alzheimer’s is more than occasional memory loss. It’s a disease that causes brain cells to malfunction and ultimately die. When this happens, an individual may forget the name of a longtime friend or how to return to a home they’ve lived in for decades.
The Alzheimer’s Association calls the widespread but incorrect belief that mental decline is a normal part of aging “Myth #1” (Click here for more myth busters)
Also checking out the Association’s web site for information to help you identify when memory issues should be a cause for concern. You should also contact your physician.