Short-term, long-term, it’s all going. Sometimes I can’t remember what I just did, or what I need to do in ten minutes. I call that “Presence of Mind,” and it seems to be frequently absent.
I’m not doing mental exercises, taking vitamins, or other chicanery. “Words With Friends” is torturous, especially when five people want to play at once. I’d rather read old notes and look at old photos. If I don’t exactly remember, I can recast the event.
One thing that does help me with recall and awareness is simple self-knowledge: what would I have done? What response, thought, or action would I likely have initiated? Not “should have.” I have a unique character and enjoy doing things differently – even inappropriately. What “would have” I done, even to the embarrassment of my family? (Think teenagers rolling their eyes and saying, “Daaaaad!”)
This doesn’t always bring the memory to mind; but in imagining my involvement, I can create anew a likely scenario. I can often find the lost item. I can remember where I’m supposed to be.
It’s not rejuvenation, but it’s an operational plan that works.