Members article
By Jane Verity© dementiacareinternational
We all know how annoying and embarrassing it can be when our memory momentarily fails us and we forget someone’s name or an appointment. Just imagine how much harder it is for elderly people with dementia. Memory impairment can be very demoralising, frustrating and even soul-destroying.
However, a few simple strategies can ease the situation and help the person to remember. These helpful hints are useful for both professional and family members caring for and supporting people with dementia and, once adopted, will work wonders immediately.
Seven Steps to Memory Improvemen
Step 1: Avoid asking, ‘Do you remember?’
The one phrase designed to ensure that elderly people with dementia won’t remember is, ‘Do you remember?’ or, even worse, ‘Don’t you remember?’ These phrases immediately sap their confidence and trigger fears that they won’t be able to recall the required information, situation or person. Reflex responses will almost always be ‘No’. When we eliminate ‘Do you remember?’ there are many things we can say instead to help aid memory.
Step 2: Set the scene
Research has now proven that it is easier for people with dementia to recognise information than it is for them to recall it. So it is very important that we always ‘set the scene’ by painting a verbal picture. Lots of evidence exists that anything really different, out-of-the-ordinary, particularly colourful, humorous, emotionally stirring or activating the senses is more likely to be stored in the long-term memory.
For example, I took a friend’s mother to a garden show. When the trip was mentioned a week later, I simply created a picture for her, highlighting a particular exhibit that had featured a wishing well and her favourite, exquisitely scented, peach-coloured roses. This helped her to quickly recall the outing and to contribute further recollections to the conversation.
Step 3: Use repeated reinforcement
Another strategy that may help the person with dementia to retain a particular piece of information is to use repeated reinforcement. This involves giving them the necessary detail and then repeatedly asking them the same question. Every time they respond accurately, increase the time before you ask the question again. If their reply is inaccurate, repeat the information and decrease the time lapses between questions.
A friend tried this recently with her father. He had been repeatedly asking her when she was going overseas, so it was obviously something that was worrying him. The next time she saw him, she immediately told him the date she was leaving and soon after said, ‘By the way, did I tell you when I was going overseas?’
He responded, giving the right date. Twenty seconds later, she repeated the question, then again forty seconds later, and so on. If her father couldn’t retrieve the information, my friend repeated it; and the time lapsed decreased. Gradually, the time interval between questions increased. Her father was able to remember the important date and did not keep asking all the time. It made the whole visit more relaxed and enjoyable for everyone.
Please note! The way such reinforcement is done is crucial. We need to take special care that the questioning is gentle and sensitive to avoid it turning into an ‘interrogation’.
Step 4: Create a stress-free environment
We are all probably aware how much better we think and remember when we are relaxed and not feeling under pressure. In fact, stress actually cuts access to our long-term memory. A happy, stress-free environment is even more important for people with dementia, who already face challenges retrieving memories.
We can help create a relaxed atmosphere by showing genuine respect; giving warm, loving smiles; and by avoiding rushing around and/or showing signs of irritation.
Step 5: Boost self-esteem
Self-esteem is also vitally important in improving memory. An elderly person with dementia who feels special and needed will have greater confidence and be more ready to retain information.
We need to make use of every opportunity to enable them to experience success in their daily lives and to recognise and acknowledge those successes. This can be as easy as remembering to give a heartfelt thankyou and a genuine smile when they have helped in some way.
Step 6: Avoid dehydration
Poor memory can also be caused by something as simple as dehydration. Keeping in mind any bladder problems, you need to ensure the person with dementia maintains a high intake of liquid, preferably water (at least 6 to 8 glasses daily). Tea and coffee should not be counted in this.
Step 7: Facilitate outdoor exercise and natural sleep
Most people acknowledge that they function much better mentally after a good night’s sleep. Similarly, getting out into the fresh air and going for a walk or doing some gardening helps us think more clearly. It is no different for elderly people with dementia.
Our role is to make sure they have opportunities to regularly experience both natural sleep and outdoor exercise. It is also important that there is a purpose to the exercise, for example, having somewhere to walk to or an errand to undertake.
Improving the memory of people with dementia does not involve arduous training, complicated approaches or tough regimes. Quite simply, it requires a caring attitude, an understanding of the needs of elderly people with dementia, and a belief that it is possible to improve both their quality of life and their memories.
10 Top Memory Tactics
- Avoid saying, ‘Do you remember?’
- Always tell a story about the event that you’d like the person to remember.
- Weave word pictures into your story with unusual, colourful, humorous and sensory illustrations.
- Give the person time to recognise the event and to contribute his or her personal experiences to the story.
- Tell the person at every opportunity:
- ‘Your memory gets better every day.’
- ‘It’s easy for you to remember anything you want to.’
- Ensure that the person’s self-esteem is constantly boosted.
- Remember: stress is memory enemy number one.
- To avoid creating stress:
- Accept the person and situations as they are.
- Appreciate that things take time.
- Nuture the brain:
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day.
- Get plenty of fresh air and exercise.
- Take in lots of daylight.
- Laugh long, hard and often!
Further reading – Click topic
- Remember that Smell – Members article – E. Joy Bowles BSc. – (Smells induce memories; read how messages from the olfactory nerves are processed along with emotional & other sensory information that is stored as memories, plus how aromas that are linked with physical responses are known as ‘odour conditioning’.)
- How can Aromatherapy Help People with Dementia? – Members article – E. Joy Bowles BSc. (Joy’s article reveals how the ‘sense of smell is non-verbal & can “get through” to emotions when words fail’, plus how smells can help remind a person with dementia of happy times & bring memories to mind.)
- Gardens – A Visual, Sensory & Memory Delight – Members article – E. Joy Bowles BSc. (Read how particular plants can stimulate memories of meals, gardens & people.)
- Brahmi – The Traditional Ayurvedic Brain Tonic – Members article – Dr Ruth Cilento – (world-renowned holistic medical practitioner & author of Heal Cancer and Age without Alzheimer’s shares how Brahmi improves learning processes & memory; how it works; who can benefit; why brahmi is particularly therapeutic for the elderly, plus more on its health benefits.)
- Gingko Biloba – Members article – Dr Ruth Cilento – (world-renowned holistic medical practitioner & author of Heal Cancer & Age without Alzheimer’s explains the many healing properties of Gingko Biloba, its positive effects on memory & learning abilities & for arresting symptoms of dementia.)
- Filling Memory Gaps – Members tips – (Learn simple tips to help fill memory gaps)
Relevant Resources:
10 Top Memory Tactics – A3 poster – featuring the above memory tactics displayed in a colourful poster – Visit our Product page