Dealing with memory loss

Planning and organization go far to help ease the frustrations of memory loss. Encourage your family member to:

Establish routines, trying to do daily tasks and activities at the same time. Place clocks in each room. Wear a wristwatch. Place a calendar with large numbers in a prominent place. Fill in medical appointments, important dates and activities. Post a daily or weekly schedule on the refrigerator or some other place. Keep family photos and familiar objects visible. Label photos including a fact to jog the memory. Place a notepad by the telephone to record messages. Place another notepad in the kitchen to record needed groceries and items. Place a basket in a central location where eye glasses, keys and change are placed. Put a sign on the basket. Use daily news items, large print books, maps, globes, and easy puzzles to maintain language skills. Reduce clutter so things can be found with more ease. Arrange clothing and belongings in an orderly logical way. Label drawers and cabinets with words or pictures that identify the contents. Use signs pictures and arrows to help identify direction. Maintain a high degree of light; use nightlights.

Suggested Reading Mace, Nancy L. and Peter V. Rabins. 2006. The 36-hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease, Related Dementing Illnesses & Memory Loss in Later Life, rev. ed. Warner Books Mayo Clinic Guide to Alzheimer’s Disease, Ronald Petersen, MD. PhD, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2006 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke www.ninds.nih.gov