My memory lapses are dreadful, it takes me about 4 walks from lounge to kitchen and back to get everything I need. The most disturbing example of what you're experiencing is the day I ended up looking for one of my cousins on facebook to see how she was. Four hours later I was distraught when I remembered that she had died of breast cancer 4 years ago and could not believe that I had such a memory blank.
I have reminders on my phone for everything and make notes and let my family know what I need to remember.