Walking Down Memory Lane - Helping a Loved One with Memory Loss

Gradual memory loss is part of normal aging, largely caused by a reduction in brain size as the years pass. But coupled with hormonal changes, medications, poor hearing, and lack of intellectual stimulation, you may find your elderly loved ones become forgetful, confused and lack the level of concentration that they once had.

Here’s how to help:

• Encourage your parents to attend classes, visit a museum, engage in word games like crossword puzzles, do math teasers, and read books and newspapers to maintain an active and alert mind. Use it or lose it rings true when it comes to retaining memory. Memory can be improved through practice.

• Write everything down on a large, easy-to-read calendar: Doctor’s appointments, phone calls to be made, bills to be paid, expected visitors and everyday tasks. It can become the daily checklist of activity.

• Develop a daily routine for and with your parents that doesn’t change. If Mother feels most aware in the mornings, schedule bill paying or the opening of mail for that time of day. If she gets tired and confused in the evening, reserve that time for quiet activities. If possible, visit your parents on the same day of the week, or same time of day so that it is easily remembered and becomes something to look forward to.

• Update the kitchen to encourage use of the microwave—it’s safer—and buy a toaster/broiler oven that has an automatic shut-off. Make certain the stove and oven knobs are clearly marked with fluorescent tape that indicates when the stove is turned off.

• Keep important items in the same place, and if they are small in size, attach them to large key chains. Purchase two sets of eyeglasses, keys, dentures, hearing aids, whenever possible so that temporary loss is of little consequence.

Are you worried that it could be Dementia? Is it simple forgetfulness due to old age or is it dementia? Compare your parents’ forgetfulness to how he lived for most of his life. In simple memory loss, a person might forget the subject of this week’s sermon, or where he placed his glasses. With dementia, he would forget having ever attended services or the fact that he wears glasses at all. Other symptoms include disorientation, becoming easily lost, irritability, loss of language skills, a decline in personal grooming habits, and difficulty sleeping. Usually these symptoms will increase in breadth or severity over time.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, but it can also be caused by a series of small, otherwise benign strokes. If you suspect dementia, see your doctor for a complete examination to assess your parent’s current mental status.