Did you know that having some trouble remembering is normal? Simple things like not being able to remember where you put your keys, having trouble remembering what you need at the grocery store, or losing your eyeglasses again?

Some forgetfulness is a normal problem in our everyday, busy lives. We often are multi-tasking, making it hard to remember all the small actions we are doing.

But sometimes, forgetfulness is a symptom of something else. When should you become concerned about your brain health?

Should I be concerned?

We all go through seasons in which everyday activities are difficult because of our life circumstances. Often there is no cause for concern. But certain issues that continue over a long period of time may need to be examined.

Women Veterans are at higher risk of certain conditions that may affect their brain health, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic stress and traumatic brain injuries. Any type of trauma, (physical or emotional) triggered by an event, series of events, or set of circumstances, can also affect your physical, mental and brain health. All of these are common in military service and can affect the brain health of women of all ages.

It is never too early to speak with your VA primary care provider about your concerns. Some signs you may want to watch out for include:

  • Difficulty with complex tasks—such as balancing your checkbook—that you used to do easily
  • Trouble recalling new events or information
  • Difficulty coping with unexpected events
  • Getting lost in familiar places
  • Trouble carrying on a conversation, following the conversation, or finding the right words

These could be signs of something more serious, like dementia. Some women with brain health or memory loss concerns may also experience difficulty concentrating, having trouble planning or completing everyday activities, or feeling changes in mood or personality.

Senior woman taking a deep breath

Brain health is affected by physical, emotional, and social wellbeing

What will VA do?

Your VA primary care provider will help you look at all possible issues that may be affecting your brain health. This can involve:

  • Discussing your symptoms
  • Discussing family history of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
  • Reviewing all your medications for medication side effects that may affect brain health
  • Performing a physical exam, including vision and hearing
  • Conducting brief memory tests
  • Ordering lab tests or imaging tests

Your provider may also discuss your military history. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that may have occurred during military service may increase the risk of developing memory loss conditions or dementia, even years after the injury takes place. If you served in combat, VA will conduct screenings for TBIs and recommend follow-on care and specialty providers, as necessary.

Other factors may affect your brain health. Treating these may not only improve your brain health but your ability to complete daily activities. You or your primary care provider may want to discuss the following:

Treating any of the above can improve your chances or avoiding or delaying memory loss concerns like dementia.

What might my treatment be like?

If your tests show any concerns, your primary care provider will work with you and your family to create a plan to meet your needs.

Treatment may involve things like prescribing medications, referring you for eyeglasses or hearing aids, setting up an appointment with a sleep specialist or neurologist, and referring you to social work to make sure you have appropriate support systems in place.

Your safety is a primary concern, so your primary care provider may also refer you for a home safety evaluation to make sure you have the things needed to go about your activities of daily living as safely and confidently as possible.

What can I do to improve my brain health?

Our brain health is affected by our physical, emotional and social wellbeing. Some activities can improve your brain health and, while they may not prevent conditions such as dementia, they can help slow the process. Some things you can do include:

How can I access care?

If you don’t already have a VA primary care provider, you can call your nearest VA medical center and ask for the Women Veteran program manager. They can help coordinate the services you may need.

If you have not yet enrolled in VA health care, call or text the Women Veterans Call Center at 855-829-6636. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, and Saturday, 8 am to 6:30 pm ET. If you call after hours, we will return your call the next day we are open.

For more information, you can download a handout on eligibility or visit the VA Women Veterans Health Care website.

Don’t let your brain health slip your mind. Talk with your primary care provider early if you have any concerns about your brain health.

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12 Comments

  1. Allen Jordan March 21, 2023 at 18:05

    I have mostly everything you were talking about from short term memory lost sleep problems, but only now the Army that I served is saying I was in a area where i may have been chemical exposed in Iraq . But still getting treated like I’m the problem!

  2. John Lacrosse March 21, 2023 at 02:30

    Yep, me too! Why only addressed to women? I am a 79 year old male and have suffered short term memory loss and organizational problems since 01/2020 and it has been a nightmare. While I had a low rank in the Military, I have been very successful in life and have achieved the American Dream! Yet, when my wife died on 06-25-2020 (she was our bookkeeper for my real estate ownership business and I found myself unable to pay my own and business bills. I used to do all of it before I met my wife 21 years previously.
    Now it takes me 3 to 4 times as much energy to do very basic things including bill paying, remembering future appointment dates or things that occurred a few days ago. Remembering passwords is not possible and I must be extremely careful taking notes and remembering passwords and ID’s even when I track them. For long term appointments I have created several methods including using a calendar which don’t really work that well. I have finally created another system of posting “all Future appointments at 8am and list all future appointment dates in sequential order in the notes section! I think this is going to work well! But I must have a system as I can not rely on my memory. My sleep patterns have gone to hell! and am having several all night binges and taking a short nap during the following day. Not sure what to do about that one! I am beginning to seek help with this issue via the VA but not impressed with their follow through. They have their own set of problems and also need help!
    I ask them to send me a reminder and their system “DOES NOT ALLOW THEM TO DO THAT”! THE VA NEEDS TO FIX THAT TOO!
    Mind you, I for the most part have had good service from my VA providers. So over all, I have more positive than negative comments. Thanks VA! I particularly like my ability to use local hospital services rather than having to travel 3 to 4 hours to a VA facility! A HUGE IMPROVEMENT ! They do need to improve website access, it is down to often and signing in should be made easier. Rarely does it recognize me. Amazon has no problem, so it can be done! The whole online thing needs MUCH IMPROVEMENT AND THAT APPLIES TO BANKS, CORPORATIONS ETC! With all the money these large institutions are making
    they can do better! A LOT BETTER!
    Anyway, Thanks but get your techies to do a lot better job! Some corrects are worse than the prior problems! Whoops! John

  3. R. Stolz March 18, 2023 at 15:11

    Why must I be a woman in order to qualify for brain health treatment? I recently had a MRI brain scan, and, to date, no one has given me the real results. My Primary Physician only says that the clinic found that my brain is in atrophy. What the hell does that mean? It’s as if I am unknown, even though I have been in the VA system since 2005.

  4. Larry Hunter March 17, 2023 at 18:38

    I Need Help

  5. Ray Vargo March 17, 2023 at 08:41

    I am one of 5 caregiver brothers for my 99 year old World War 2 Navy veteran Dad. Dementia has taken over his life for almost 3 years now. He can actually recall some of his Navy days but can’t remember family and friends now. It’s very sad to see. Please get help when symptoms occur.

  6. Tom Binder March 16, 2023 at 20:46

    Are you kidding. I was in over 120 fire fights. Lost my best friends, was gut shot with an AK 47.
    And blown up with a chicom Frag. Still have shrapnel in my skull shoulder., ribs and intestines. I was in various hospitals
    For 6 months.
    That is PTSD
    No offense

  7. Lance Furst March 16, 2023 at 19:45

    How come this is addressed 2 women & my primary phy told me that the issues listed here that I have problems are not tobe addressed, button a specialist..and to get an apt.eithmy primary care is months away…oh I’m male single cauc& old ..I have many issues that have not nor will ever be addressed by any of ya..

  8. Ken Dunton March 16, 2023 at 19:15

    What about male vets? I am having these brain problems and have mentioned it at the VA in Saginaw, MI with no offer of help!! It started over two years ago just after receiving my first covid injection at the VA !! Coincidence ? Maybe, but I have talked to others who noticed the same thing since their initial injection!! I am now seeing a Physican at my own expense who has had me tested and on meds and I go back to him at the end of March 2023 for a final diagnosis. At this time it appear to be the onset of Dementia. Many nights I don’t sleep well and because of some of my apparent mood swings, I have been baned from the pool where I exercised !! Summer is coming, so I will be able to walk outside.

  9. Gaylia Clark-Washington March 16, 2023 at 18:24

    My name is Gaylia Clark Washington. My Father Kevin J.Clark is an Army veteran. On August 9th while doing physical therapy at the VA clinic on Jefferson Street in Jacksonville Florida had a traumatic fall and from the fall he received a massive rotator cuff tear and a massive quad tear and a traumatic brain injury. My Father is 64yrs old and soon to be 65yrs old in May of this year. He is now in a day treatment program Rehabilitation Center for traumatic brain injury. He takes medication for memory loss and anxiety disorder,migraines,headaches and mood disorder.I have taken over all my fathers personally matters. He has numbness on the right side of his neck and ringing in his right ear. When he fail he was questioned why he went to patients advocate. The leadership at the Jefferson Street Clinic seems very unconcerned and very unprofessional. He had to write his local Congressional District Office in order to get some answers. Will someone please help my Father he is very depressed at times which frightening me.

  10. David Adams March 16, 2023 at 18:21

    Why do they waste their time sending me this stuff when I’m not a woman is the VA confused?????

  11. David Adams March 16, 2023 at 18:17

    My name is David. Why are they sending me something for women’s health? I don’t understand is the VA totally confused more than they were

  12. Dennis March 16, 2023 at 18:10

    Wow I. Lol out loud for Myself I’ve had 3 past 36 years most would be dead so I’m not a believer

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