Having to remind people

[Katrina]

As people get older, they tend to be forgetful. You may have noticed this with parents, grandparents, etc... I know I'm forgetful and it's getting worse, but not something to worry about yet.

I have some friends who are in their 70s and 80s and I've told them about some things that need to get done, and we have a long conversation about it. Months later, they claim that it was news to them when reminded. Then a year later, same thing, they had never heard about it before. Then their feelings get hurt when it's discussed in a group email and they feel called out.

How do you handle having to remind people about something numerous times?

 

[Jay™]

How do you handle having to remind people about something numerous times?

There's not much you can do, really, but keep doing it; people get old and forget.

 

[Ravenfreak]

It's sad when older folk start to show signs that their memory is failing. I've heard that some people will put post it notes everywhere to help guide them, I think it's a good idea. It can help for a bit.

 

[Felly]

My mom sometimes asks me the same question multiple times, even after I've already answered it. Like she'll ask how much I spent on our dinner, I'll tell her, she'll respond to acknowledge it, then about 15-20 minutes later, we'll repeat it. Thankfully only once, but I don't really bother calling her out on it or anything like that. Just a part of life, and in a way, I feel like it teaches you patience with that person and others who may be in the same boat.

I feel like some people just also lead fast paced lives (maybe everyone, idk), and it's just easier to forget things if there's a lot going on in the moment. For me, personally, I tend to forget things relatively easily, and I'm very much the kind of person that if it's not written down, I won't remember. Even at work, I could be verbally given a list of things to do, and I could verbally repeat it back and 30 minutes later, feel like I've forgotten something because I never wrote it down. I also just enjoy the satisfaction of being able to toss a sticky note once I've completed what needs to be completed or mark something off a list.

 

[Cory]

My grandma on my father's side has short-term memory loss and she'll forget something you tell her about 5 minutes ago. She is very saddened that this has happened to her. We don't usually tell her "I told you that already", we repeat what we've said.

 

[Katrina]

My grandma on my father's side has short-term memory loss and she'll forget something you tell her about 5 minutes ago. She is very saddened that this has happened to her. We don't usually tell her "I told you that already", we repeat what we've said.

It's so hard to not say I told you that already, isn't it? I guess for me, there are only so many times I can keep telling someone something before I get annoyed.

 

[Shortie_]

I guess all you can do is keep reminding them and always be prepared for them to forget, it happens to most of us and it can not be helped.

I forget a lot of things, more than I probably should at my age but that is due to Fibromyalgia and brain fog more than anything else. I often feel bad that people have to keep reminding me but I know it can't be helped.

 

[Bryn]

I have to remind my mother a couple of times per day, and it's bloody annoying... though that's only the small minor stuff. Everything more important are kept in her diary, so she won't forget these 😛

 

[Katrina]

Yesterday I was texting a couple of ladies about some things we had planned earlier in the month. They both forgot what we had planned which means now we need to all agree again on what we'll be doing for the group.

 

[zappaDPJ]

I think it's understandable getting irritated when continually having to repeat yourself. I also think you have to try and understand how frustrating it must be for someone whose memory is failing. I guess it's worth trying to remind yourself who has the bigger problem in this situation.

 

[Cory]

It's so hard to not say I told you that already, isn't it? I guess for me, there are only so many times I can keep telling someone something before I get annoyed.

I suppose I'm not around my grandmother enough to know for sure. She lives a few cities over us and we don't get to visit her that often. I imagine her boyfriend is used to it by now since they live together. I think I've only said "I told you that already, you don't remember" without thinking about her memory problems, and she looked like she was about to cry.

 

[MrDawn]

How do you handle having to remind people about something numerous times?

I'll probably try to remind the person one more time and if they forget again, I just go to someone else or try to do it on my own.

 

[The Cat Lady]

I don't think there is much you can do.

Some people when they get older, they have memory trouble or in some cases, they end up with dementia or alzheimer's.

I would just tell them privately (if it's possible) so that they don't feel like you're calling them out.