Like many old people, I joke about my memory. The grandkids think my not knowing where my glasses are...while they sit on top of my head...is hilarious. And I laugh along with them. Finding the right word, or remembering what day it is, those little nibbles at the corner of your mind are tolerable. Until they aren't.
I got a short email from a friend today. It said:
"Kevin,
Do you still email? I need an anchor."

It turns out his wife of forty three years, who just turned 75 got a form of Dementia I had never heard of: Rapid Progressive Dementia- or RPD. I just talked with her ten days ago...and now she is in the last stages of Dementia.

Her sister came over to help out. He swore off of computers, smartphones, social media and email more than a decade ago. He became a modern hermit. Our phone calls were his contact with the world. Now, suddenly, he has to learn how to do all those things.
One of the things the Sister did right away, was set up his own email account. Which she forgot was to tell us. So everyone trying to support him, went to his Wife's email...the one he can't open.
So now that glitch has been fixed. But he has to learn in a hurry how to do all the online stuff, bills, banking etc... Like being thrown into the deep end of Modern life...without warning.

It was a wake up call for us. As I too, have no Social media other than RP, and I only started that up about a week or so ago. My wife did all the bills. But since my friend had this tragedy, I have started to keep track of stuff..again.

RPD can be caused by urinary track infections, or aspirational pneumonia, or from unknown causes. If the first two are the culprits, quick treatment can delay the onset and cure the symptoms for a bit. Sadly her's wasn't caused by either of those. So in just a matter of days, her cognitive decline was the same as someone who fought for years.

Keep walking, keep involved, keep learning, those are the steps we all can take, but even then...sometimes...well, there is nothing you can do.