In stage 2, memory lapses, like forgetting someone’s name or where one left one’s purse are common and more frequent. Forgetfulness often looks like a normal age-related issue. The spouse of the person will notice this forgetful phenomenon first. At stage 2, more serious memory issues can become symptoms of Alzheimer’s, although not usually viewed as such.

For Judy,  forgetfulness in 2012 became more serious in the first part of 2013. First, her misplaced purse, then cups put where glasses go and knives where forks go. These were all taken to be part of the aging process.