Is it Monday or Tuesday? Did I deposit that check or do I need to? Why can’t I seem to remember everything the way I used to? Is there something going on with me?

If these sorts of questions resonate with you, you are not alone: A large percentage of people over age 45 feel they suffer from memory loss. According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in nine people over age 45 believe they suffer from memory loss and a decline in their cognitive functioning. The question is whether that memory loss is normal or an early warning sign of trouble ahead. For essential information about the symptoms, causes, and possible treatments for memory loss, check out this overview from the Merck Manual Here.

If you’re concerned about your own memory or that of a loved one, step one might be to check out a free evaluation test you can take or administer in the privacy of your own home. Writing in a recent post on NJ.com, reporter Tony Dearing describes the SAGE (Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam) test, developed by the Wexner Medical Center of Ohio State University. Scientifically validated, this test has been downloaded over one million times, is available in multiple languages, and is an easily accessible way to gauge whether memory problems might indicate a reason for further evaluation. So, lest you forget, check out the SAGE exam before you check in with a doctor.