Senior Citizen Humor
ANOSOGNOSIA
Story by Veteran Vikram Karve
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Disclaimer:
This story is a spoof, just for fun and humor, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.
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ANOSOGNOSIA
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I saw a post on “Anosognosia” (WhatsApp Forwarded Message) on a Veterans’ Group – and – as I read the post – I realized that I had most of the symptoms of “Anosognosia”.
Initially – I got a bit worried – but – as I read on – I felt a sense of relief – as the post said that many people above 60 have some symptoms of “Anosognosia” – and – since I am approaching my 70’s – it was okay for me to have symptoms of “Anosognosia”.
As per the WhatsApp forward – the term “Anosognosia” means “temporary forgetfulness”
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Google, Internet Search Engines and AI Assistants may give different definitions, meanings and interpretations of the term “Anosognosia” – so – to avoid confusion – I will stick to the meaning given the WhatsApp Forward I received on a Veterans Group – that - “Anosognosia” means “Temporary Forgetfulness”
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Yes – I do experience “temporary forgetfulness” quite often – ever since I became a senior citizen – and especially now – as I approach my 70’s.
I tend to forget names – sometimes I don’t remember where I had put things “carefully” – so – I have to keep searching for them – I go to a room in the house and don’t remember why I had come there – sometimes – I don’t remember a word or expression – or the name of a movie or actor – a sort of temporary blank memory – all sorts of temporary forgetfulness.
The WhatsApp post says that after 60 years – most people experience “temporary forgetfulness” – which indicates that “Anosognosia” is not a disease – but rather an age-related characteristic.
Lest one gets unduly concerned – there is a reassurance that “Anosognosia” is not Alzheimer’s – if a person is aware of his memory problems – he does not have Alzheimer’s.
Persons who are conscious of being forgetful – they have no serious problem of memory.
Those who suffer from a memory illness or Alzheimer’s – they are not aware of what is happening.
The more we are aware of our forgetfulness and temporary memory loss – the less likely we likely are to suffer from memory sickness like Alzheimer’s etc.
As a further reassurance – the WhatsApp post has three simple “neurological tests” – and – it reassures you that if you pass these three tests without difficulty – your brain is in perfect shape – despite your age.
Well – I passed the three tests with flying colours.
So – now that I am reassured that my brain is okay – let me tell you my recent experiences (and “benefits”) of “Anosognosia” – in a humorous vein.
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Dear Reader – have a look at our home – a traditional two-storey bungalow – built as per “Vastu Shastra” – yes – a perfectly “vastu-compliant” home.
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| View of our Bungalow Home : Pratap Kuti |
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| Selfie at our Bungalow Home |
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My “Den” is on top – on the first floor – where I spend most of time – writing – reading – relaxing – watching TV – exercising – meditating – and – I have started sleeping there too.
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| Can you spot me on the balcony outside my “Den” |
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My “Den” is on the first floor – it is like a spacious “studio apartment” – with a lovely east-northeast facing balcony cum terrace.
Everything else is on the ground floor below – the living room, the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms etc – where “Better Half” rules the roost.
Being an old-style bungalow – the staircase to the top floor is quite steep with high steps.
Now – thanks to “Anosognosia” – I keep forgetting things – so – I have to go up and down the stairs very frequently.
For example – I come down – make my morning cup of tea – and sit down in the veranda for “Chota Hazri” – and decide to enjoy my morning social media browsing – when I realise that I have forgotten to get my reading glasses.
So – I have to climb up the stairs – get my reading glasses – and come down.
After my bath – I climb up to my “den” and I sit down for my writing session in front of my laptop.
I don’t remember if I have switched off the geyser – or water tank motor – or switched on the washing machine – so – down I go – and – up again.
I go down for breakfast – I can’t find my mobile – did I leave it on top – so – up I go – and down again.
I can’t find my reading glasses again – so – I search all rooms – and if I don’t find them – I have to go up and down again.
I keep forgetting things – so – it is “up and down” – “up and down” – and – I have lost count of how many times I have to go up and down the stairway.
Unlike a compact flat – which has just one entrance – our bungalow has multiple compound gates – and many doors and windows – which have to be opened and closed as per requirement – and – I keep forgetting – so – it is up and down – in and out.
“Anosognosia” ensures that you move a lot – you keep forgetting – and you keep moving – and maybe – this frequent movement is good for senior citizens – especially if it involves frequently climbing stairs.
I have never bothered about my physique or weight – but friends tell me that I seem to have lost weight and am looking fitter – and if this is indeed so – it is thanks to “Anosognosia”.
Even outdoors – “Anosognosia” ensures you make multiple trips to the market – or – to do errands – and you keep walking – since you keep forgetting.
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Well – Dear Friends – I am an “old” senior citizen approaching my 70’s – and I have got “Anosognosia” – and – I am making the most of it.
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PS:
“Better Half” keeps misplacing her “hair clips” – I call them “Khekda” aka “Crabs” (see below) – and – I have to move around searching for them.
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| “Khekda” aka “Crabs” aka Hair Clips |
She too keeps forgetting and misplacing things very frequently – especially her keys – her mobile phone – her chargers etc.
Wonder if she too is a victim of “Anosognosia”…?
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Dear Reader – do you have “Anosognosia” – or have you seen persons who have it…?
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| Please see the “Puneri Pati” (witty signboard) |
VIKRAM KARVE
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1 comment:
Great article Commander Karve.
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