We all have issues with our memories every now and then. You know you just put your keys down but now you can’t find them. You walk into the living room and can’t remember why you went there. You go to the grocery store to pick something up and leave with a bunch of other items … minus the one thing you needed. As we get older, this can happen more and more often, so it just becomes part of our normal life.
“Memory lapses are usually normal in healthy adults because our brains are constantly storing, prioritizing and retrieving information and it’s easy for things to slip through the cracks,” says Barbara Harrison, Executive Director of Bridges® at Pembroke, a memory care assisted living community in Pembroke, MA. “That’s why it can be hard for us to know if we should be worried about our memory loss – if our ‘senior moments’ are actually signs of something more serious.”
Here are some questions to ask if you’re concerned about memory loss in yourself or a loved one.
- Is the memory loss disrupting your ability to perform tasks of daily living, like driving, paying bills or proper hygiene?
- Have memory lapses remained on an occasional basis, or have they become more frequent over time?
- What types of things are being forgotten? For example, are you forgetting the names of acquaintances or are you forgetting the names of people who are close to you? Do you forget the details of a conversation or are you forgetting ever having the conversation? Is your loved one asking the same question over and over?
- Is memory loss accompanied by confusion, agitation or anxiety?
If you’ve determined that you or a loved one is having more-serious-than-usual memory issues, it’s essential that you take steps to determine the root of the problem, says Barbara. However, you shouldn’t jump to conclusions that it’s something irreversible like dementia or another cognitive disease.
“There are many things that can affect our cognitive abilities, which can in turn affect memory,” she says. “It can be something as serious as the onset of dementia or something as minimal as a new medication that’s affecting you in a negative way. That’s why it’s so important to visit a medical professional as soon as you notice something wrong, instead of burying the problem and hoping it will go away. The sooner the root cause of the memory loss can be identified, the sooner treatment can start and the more effective it will be.”
Some common causes of memory loss include:
- Medications, including both prescription and over-the-counter
- Alcohol or drug use
- Depression or stress
- Head injury, such as a blow to the head due to an accident or a sports injury
- Infections like STDs or even UTIs
- Not getting enough sleep
- Poor nutrition
- Mild cognitive impairment
- Dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease
Tips for Managing Memory Loss Symptoms
If memory loss is determined to be something serious – something that cannot be cured or reversed – you will have to adjust your life to help navigate the symptoms and live safely, independently and happily. Here are some tips for helping to manage the common symptoms of memory loss.
Forgetting names, conversations, tasks, events and other information.
- Stick to a regular routine. This can help you or your loved one more easily remember when things will happen (for example, dinner is always served at 6 p.m.).
- Use tools and reminders such as easy-to-see calendars, large clocks and sticky notes to have reminders, instructions and other essential things to prompt your loved one to remember or help them get the answer they’re searching for.
- Write down thoughts or daily events in a journal so it can be referred back to more easily.
Losing or misplacing items.
- Keep important items in a designated, easy-to-see place, such as a bowl right by the door where keys and wallets are deposited.
- Get copies of things that are often misplaced, like keys, glasses or pens.
- Declutter surfaces and cabinets so important items can be more easily seen.
- Consider using locator devices for important items – these can often be accessed via the Internet
Having difficulty with daily tasks.
- Invest in assistive technology to help manage activities, like medication reminder boxes or motion sensors that play reminders (like “don’t forget your keys!” if you’re opening a door).
- Break down big tasks into smaller steps that can be more easily followed.
- Reconfigure the environment to make life easier, such as labeling drawers and cupboards, moving regularly used items to easy-to-reach spaces, and making sure there’s plenty of light so things can be seen.
Not recognizing loved ones or forgetting important details.
This can include everything from getting lost and forgetting where they are to not remembering who you are (for example, thinking a daughter is actually your sister or mother).
- Make sure you or your loved one always have identification available. You may also wish to list emergency numbers on a card which can go in a pocket, wallet or other small space.
- Use an emergency ID device that can be tracked by GPS so it’s easier to locate where someone has gone.
- Introduce individuals by name and relationship (“Here’s your granddaughter, Helen!”)
- Pick your battles. For example, if your loved one is telling a story and getting all the details wrong (or spinning a story you know isn’t true), is there any harm in letting them tell it the way they “remember” it? In this case, it may be better to let them spin it out instead of correcting them and getting them anxious or agitated.
“There are seemingly as many symptoms of memory loss as there are causes of memory loss, and just as many ways to help manage the symptoms,” says Barbara. “The most important thing to remember is to be patient, be kind and find creative ways to help guide you or your loved one to have the highest quality of life possible.”
Compassionate Care for All Stages of Memory Loss
Bridges® by EPOCH at Pembroke provides assisted living memory care that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or memory impairment, we’ve created a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents each and every day.
Dedicated Memory Care
The team of compassionate dementia-care experts at Bridges® by EPOCH at Pembroke delivers 24-hour assistance and inspiring programs that exercise physical and cognitive abilities – all in a supportive, purposefully designed environment. For added peace of mind, we offer simple, all-inclusive pricing options that help make the process a little easier for families.
Community Amenities
Characterized by a beautiful residential design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Pembroke provides everything residents with memory loss need to enjoy comfort, familiarity and security. Soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations create a peaceful and secure environment where residents feel at home.
Contact us today to learn more.