New friends versus friends that I have known for many years

(Chapter 12 Navigating Relationships While Living with a Memory Impairment in my book)

For me, I think that there is a comfort level with friends that I have known for a long time because they probably know about my diagnosis. With new people that I meet, I am focusing on hiding my symptoms because I want them to get to know me first.

I know that I am still an outgoing person but living with MCI has changed things for me. I prefer to choose who I tell about my diagnosis. Everyone I meet doesn't need to know about it. Only the people who I am very close to need to know.

About a year ago, I moved into an apartment building and I have found it challenging to get to know people. I had to stop working about five years ago. About 1 1/2 years ago, I started volunteering as a senior companion. Each week, I spend three hours with four different ladies. I just love volunteering and getting to know each of them!

Unfortunately, since March our program has been shut down due to Covid-19. I miss these ladies so much but we are keeping in touch by weekly phone calls. None of them know about my diagnosis but sometimes I tell them that I have a really bad memory.