Maybe it's when you decided you didn't need to "clog your mind" that things started going haywire?
Just a thought, though - ya' know the old saying - "use it or lose it".
I personally think it's great mind exercise to remember all that I can. But that's just my opinion :)

Tammy

How about a little calendar to carry with you, or stick on the dash of your car? Or someplace you'll see it every day? I carry a lot around in my head, but I still need that visual input to carry through with my "to do" list. (Comes from having a visual learning style and memory.) When I was teaching in a school, my desk was sprinkled with post-it notes all the time - if I had to look at it every time I sat down, there was a good chance I'd remember it. (Not to mention the notes in my plan book - sometimes accented with very BRIGHT highlighter or post-its.)

How do YOU learn best? Then use that same avenue to jog your memory.

Laurel

I think there's a lot to be said for the 'want to' factor. I have things that I 'want' to remember- like all my CC numbers (including the 3-digit code on the back), my insurance policy numbers, all of my family's social security numbers...stuff like that. Everything else is a blur.

Maybe I need to start a DL database. Names, heights, bloom size...etc. To the average person, this would probably seem like clutter. Just give me the facts.

I'll be the only one in the nursing home that knows the stats of every registered daylily on the planet, but I won't know what I had for breakfast!

Your problem is common. You're at the point where you need to start writing things down. Then don't forget where you put the paper you wrote it on. Laurel is right, it's often best to carry a little notepad with you in your pocket or purse so you can write stuff on it. When you've finished the appointment, or whatever it was you wanted to remember, tear out the page and throw it away. I have to do this. For a long time I'd forget where my notepad was. So now I keep one in my purse, and one on the end table next to my Lazyboy chair. I also need to keep one next to the computer.

If it's not on one of those lists, it doesn't get done. And, get this, I absolutely HATE making lists and doing any organizational efforts. I'm a big concept gal, and hate to trouble myself with details. But I've found, that if I don't do it, sooner or later I end up embarrassing myself and looking like an idiot. So I just have to do it. I've found, it didn't kill me, even though I was sure it would.

Like you, I can remember the latin name of nearly any plant species on the planet, but I keep calling my husband by the dog's name.

Some things we just have to chuckle about, lest we cry.

Lainey

I highly recommend you see a doctor. Alzheimer's is an extremely cruel disease, as you already know if it runs in your family. There is something else called Mild Cognitive Impairment (link below). I am not a doctor and have no medical training, but if you are habitually forgetting appointments, it might very well be early symptoms of serious problems.

Best wishes.

Royce

Here is a link that might be useful: MCI

I second Royce's advice and add that there is hope. Aricept is a good treatment. I've seen the benefits in family members who've had early medical intervention.

Also, I buy sticky notes in bulk quantity. Remembering your own appointments is hard enough...but when you have to remember your parents, in-laws, grandparents, son and husband's apointments you need LOTS of sticky notes.
Kathy