I have this theory, when I'm older I am going to have Alzheimer's. Seems like a silly thing, but I mostly mean it. Throughout the day, I forget things, things that I should not forget, like what I had for breakfast, or if I even had breakfast. While I know that this does not necessarily have any bearing on whether or not I develop Alzheimer's, it is a thought. Can we see early signs of Alzheimer's in the way our memory works at a younger age, and therefore more effectively prevent it?
Some say that it can be a genetic disorder, others say that there is no connection whatsoever. On the aspect of drugs that could help or cure Alzheimer's, there currently isn't one that could ultimately cure it, only one that could set back the effects for some time. Through the use of one of the drugs and brain stimulating activities, you can prolong the effects of Alzheimer's and even have many "positive" days. Along with this, have the person's days be repetitive in the sense that their schedule is similar day to day, ( I.e. wake up, shower, eat, read, visit, eat, watch a show, play cards, eat, get ready for bed, sleep.) or, the other option is putting the person in a nursing home which will instill a schedule each day. While it is not ideal, the pattern sometimes allows the person to find a place familiar for longer, if not on a conscious level, sometimes on the subconscious level. As of right now, sadly, the end effects are inevitable.
There are different stages of Alzheimer's and typically, the first memories that tend to go are the day to day memories. Then getting lost or forgetting people comes into play. Slowly, hygiene and personality fades. It is a sad and discouraging condition, a cure would be a wonderful miracle to many families affected. And sadly tying that knot around your finger will only remind you that you forgot something, if you remember why it was tied there at all. The hyperlink below is a Rascal Flatts song called Ellsworth that gives a pretty good portrayal on living with Alzheimer's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGukwAYiTQ0
I think your theory is very interesting. It would be nice to know ahead of time if you will be diagnosed with the disease, but maybe it would not. I also liked what you said about the "Forget-me-Knots." I am a forgetful person myself and I am always misplacing and having trouble remembering things. My friends have even tried to help me. It was recommended to me that I draw an "X" or a dot on the top of my hand. (My mom did not like me writing a bunch of stuff on my hands because she believed I would get ink poisoning.) Anyway, I came across the same problem: all that I could remember from the reminder mark on my hand was that I had forgotten something and I could never figure out what!
I think this will be my up-hill battle for my whole life.
I wonder why some people are more forgetful in their regular lives than others?