Coping with Your Loss of Memory

Alzheimer's disease interferes with short-term memory first, before it affects long-term memory. In the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, you will have difficulty remembering recent events and information, but will continue to have vivid memories of your past. Dealing with short-term memory loss symptoms can be very frustrating and stressful. This article offers some practical advice for coping with your loss of memory.

Coping with Your Loss of Memory

As you know, you can't always rely on your short-term memory. However, you may be able to overcome some of the problems associated with short-term memory loss by implementing some of the following strategies.

• Adopt a daily routine and stick to it. When you consistently do something at the same time everyday, it becomes a habit.
• Keep a notebook with you at all times so you can write things down as soon as you think of them. Your cell phone might allow note-taking.
• Keep your glasses, keys, wallet and everyday items in the same place, so you always know where to find them.
• Make sticky note reminders and put them up where you'll notice them.
• Record important appointments and social outings in a day planner. Keep your day planner somewhere visible, like the dinner table or next to the phone, so you can always find it. Again, your cell phone might have an application that works as a planner.
• Set up your bill payments to come out of your bank account automatically.
• Tackle one task at a time and take your time getting it done. You're more likely to forget things when you're in a rush.
• Wear a digital watch that displays the date as well as the time.
• Write down important phone numbers and keep them by the phone for easy access. Enter them into your cell phone as soon as you can.

Improving Your Short-term Memory

A number of studies show that a healthy lifestyle consisting of a well-balanced diet and regular exercise may help to delay the progression of memory loss symptoms.

Some research suggests that engaging in intellectually challenging activities such as reading, developing a new skill or playing memory games may help to stimulate brain cells and slow the advance of Alzheimer's disease. Scientists believe that social activity has a similar effect on the brain and delays the development of Alzheimer's memory loss symptoms.

A Final Word on Coping with Your Loss of Memory

Try not to be too hard on yourself. Memory loss symptoms are a part of Alzheimer's disease and you shouldn't beat yourself up whenever you forget something. Take the time to establish routines and habits. Coping with your loss of memory is easier when you have the support of family and friends, so don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it.

Resources

Alzheimer Society of Canada. (n.d.). Living with Alzheimer's. Retrieved June 22, 2010, from http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/haveAD/livingwith-intro.htm.

Alzheimer's Society (U.K.). (n.d.). How can I help my memory? Retrieved June 24, 2010, from http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=871.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Coping with memory loss. Retrieved June 24, 2010, from http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm107783.htm.