RUSTY MIND

Is there any correlation between age and forgetfulness ? The degree of forgetfullness that I am having is very alarming. It is accompanied by carelessness. My keys, dentures, money, handphone and many other things are missing and I can't remember where I placed them. In a hurry I will surely be forgetting something. When my wife asked me whether I locked the door, I can't remember it at all.

I know there are several other people like me. Mostly people of over 50 years old. I am 62. If we know 70% of aged population are suffering from forgetfullness than we can conclude that there is a positive correlation between age and forgetfullness. Some literature describe it as a disease. It can even strike young people. Even elderly people might not have suffered.

Forgetfulness does not reach the stage of amnesia yet. Jokingly we said, "Luckily I remember who my wife is...or I don't say your wife is my wife...". To maintain it at the present level I have to always tell myself to be aware at all time, always check out things before a certain action.

The Malay community has a term called 'nyanyuk'. A 'nyanyuk' person would think coconut oil for a tea and he would called people by different names. The nearest English word I could find is senile. It is similar to 'nyanyuk'. For God's sake  I don't want to come to a stage where I would ease myself anywhere at any time.

Our kids have always thought that their parents have come to a stage of senility. They do not allow you to travel alone, go out of the house, will not trust money on and will always remind you things. Only students do not think their aged teachers 'nyanyuk' though they might perceive their parents as senile.

In my opinion those younger people are also suffering from some form of senility. They forget that they are getting old too. Their kids will treat them as they are now treating the old people. Thus the generation gap will always remain in years to come.

Mind can rust as long as it does give negative effect on other people, does not impose pressure or rob other people's wealth and freedom. But old people can sometimes be dangerous. There are  stories of raping and flirting with young girls. One of my students told me that her grand father always had sex with her. His ability is there even without a vigara. I wish mine is strong too. Every old man wishes his could function as strong as the younger boys.

However let's try to remind ourselves not to forget things.