It’s important to remember that memory lapses aren’t always a sign that something is wrong. Sometimes they’re normal, and people of every age sometimes have trouble remembering why they came into a room, where they put their keys, or what they were supposed to get at the grocery store. Everybody’s brain ages.
However, it’s important to pay attention to memory lapses. Only a qualified physician can be certain if a person has Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, but paying attention to signs of memory loss can help you or someone close to you receive the necessary physical and emotional care. Keep these questions in mind:
- Does the person ask repetitive questions or repeat stories within minutes of the first instance?
- Are memory lapses growing progressively worse, affecting information that was previously easily recalled?
- Are memory lapses happening more frequently?
- Does the person have difficulty finding the right words?
- Does the person have trouble following a conversation or completing familiar activities?
- Does the person become easily disoriented, even in familiar locations?
- Does the person misplace items frequently?
- Does the person have trouble planning ahead?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions any items, you may want to explore options that can make your loved one’s daily living easier. If your loved one is experiencing early memory loss, an assisted living community can provide the security of knowing that help is always there, while offering a high degree of independence.
One-on-one, you can try the following activities to reinforce working memory. Bear in mind that memories aren’t technically “lost”—they’re still in the person’s brain. The difficulty comes in saving and accessing these memories.
- Simplify daily activities. Streamline tasks so that there are fewer steps to remember. This can be especially helpful when it comes to preparing meals.
- Use repetition. Do things the same way with intention, over and over. This works for kids studying for tests, and can help seniors with tasks like getting dressed and eating breakfast, as well.
- Provide reminders. Visual cues can help. This can be as simple as making a to-do list and crossing things off, or setting out clothes to wear the night before.
