Here is a common scenario as many of us age: You get up from watching television in the living room and go into the kitchen, but you forget why you went in there!

I’ve heard this from many different people.

Memory is a funny thing.

I wonder how I can remember things from grade school or as far back as when I was 5 years old. Yet I can’t remember what I did five minutes ago. I have to keep a calendar (or let my wife Vicki keep one) so I can recall doctor’s appointments and other important dates and times. Our Physician Assistant daughter told us once that short-term memory goes first. This is definitely true for me.

Vicki recently had a yearly wellness check. During that exam, they give you three words to remember and then they ask you to repeat those at the end of the exam. We laughed because she stressed over this more than any other test. But she passed. She later told me she kept saying the three words to herself so she would get them correct. We still laugh at this, but I can certainly understand it.

We can blame it on age, but it can happen to anyone. But it does seem to get worse as we get older.

You may have heard some of these jokes.

“I have a photographic memory; I just forgot to load the film.”

“I’d tell you my favorite memory joke, but I can’t recall it.”

“I forgot my password, so I changed it to ‘incorrect.’ Now, the computer just tells me when it’s wrong.”

“I’d tell you a joke about time travel, but you didn’t like it.”

“I’d tell you a joke about procrastination, but I’ll do it later.”

Of course, memory loss can be a serious matter. But we might as well laugh about it while we can.

I am the kind of person who makes a grocery store list so I won’t forget things we need, but when I get to the store, I realize I left it at home.

Which reminds me of another memory joke. “I’d tell you a joke about my to-do list, but I forgot where I put it.”

But seriously, an online article from the Mayo Clinic stated, “Everyone forgets things at times. Perhaps you misplace your car keys or forget the name of a person you just met.”

I am one of those who never forgets a face, but I may not always remember the person’s name.

“Some degree of memory loss, as well as a modest decline in other thinking skills, is a fairly common part of aging. There’s a difference, however, between typical memory changes and memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions. And sometimes memory symptoms are the result of treatable conditions.”

The article also stated, “Typical age-related memory loss doesn’t cause a major disruption in your daily life. For example, you might occasionally forget a person’s name but recall it later in the day. You might misplace your glasses sometimes.”

These changes in memory are generally manageable and do not affect your ability to work, live independently or maintain a social life.

Unfortunately, there are others who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, which is of course very serious and is truly heartbreaking when you know someone who has it or a family member who has been through it.

However some memory loss issues can be the result of side effects from medication, the lack of sleep, anxiety or depression.

The Mayo Clinic says there are a few things we can do to help with memory loss.

1. Be physically active every day.

Physical activity raises blood flow to the whole body, including the brain. This might help keep your memory sharp.

2. Stay mentally active.

Just as physical activity keeps your body in shape, activities that engage your mind help keep your brain in shape. Those activities might help prevent memory loss. Do crossword puzzles, read books and newspapers or play games.

3. Spend time with others like family members or good friends.

Social interaction helps ward off depression and stress.

4. Stay organized.

You’re more likely to forget things if your home is cluttered or your notes are in disarray. Keep track of tasks, appointments and other events in a notebook, calendar or electronic planner.

5. Sleep well.

Not getting enough sleep has been linked to memory loss. So has restless sleep and sleep that gets disturbed often. Make getting enough healthy sleep a priority. Adults should sleep 7-9 hours a night on a regular basis.

6. Eat a healthy diet.

A healthy diet is good for your brain. Eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Choose low-fat protein sources, such as fish, beans and skinless poultry. What you drink also counts. Too much alcohol can lead to confusion and memory loss.

7. Manage chronic health problems.

Follow your health care provider’s advice for dealing with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, hearing loss and obesity.

The article states, “If you’re worried about memory loss, make an appointment with your health care provider. If memory loss affects your ability to do your daily activities, if you notice your memory getting worse, or if a family member or friend is concerned about your memory loss, it’s particularly important to get help.”

Simple memory loss is normal. Many of us talk about it; we can even joke about it. But if you think it is more serious, get checked out.

Until next time.

(Kyle Lovern is a longtime journalist in the Tug Valley. He is now a retired freelance writer and columnist for the Mountain Citizen.)