It may be distressing to suffer from memory-related issues. Many may feel that this is a normal part of the aging process, and make no effort to correct these concerns.

Nonetheless, memory problems can be an indication of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

If someone you care for has the following signs, seek medical help:

Has difficulty remembering places or people

Has trouble remembering events that happened in the past or is progressively more forgetful

Has problems with basic skills such as cooking for example

Loses sense of direction in familiar areas.

The doctor looking after your loved one will examine him/her very thoroughly. They will also ask about over-the-counter and prescribed medications. The doctor will also study the patient’s diet, medical background, and physical condition. If imaging studies of the head are indicated, they will be done. An amnestic problem could be due to several factors including:

Chiropractic reaction

Major depressive disorder

Thyroid function deficiency

Dehydration

Vitamin deficiency

A viral or bacterial illness

A history of a cerebrovascular accident

Metabolic derangements

Senile dementia of the Alzheimer type

If you are taking care of somebody who has memory problems, these pointers may help you. Portraying the person realistically, idealistically, empowered and self-assured is possible for quite some time depending on how effective your caregiving is.

Stay calm and flexible. Help the person to remember what they can, if it’s possible.

Help the individual with the retention of new information. For example, emphasize new information and use simple language, which is easy to understand. New tasks can be presented as a series of simplified steps.

Verbal prompts are more effective than questions. For example, instead of saying ‘This is Jane’, say ‘This is your cousin Jane, and she has come to see you.’. For what reason do we ask “Can you remember who she is?

Be consistent in scheduling activities. The person should feel comfortable and will have an easy time recalling the usual routines in a day. On the other hand, an overabundance of stimulation and different activities can be confusing.

Crucial information is time to write.

Know what to expect. For example, you may cope with the irritation by accepting your loved one’s ill condition that makes them forget how to unload the dishwasher. It is not your loved one’s unwillingness to help.

Reach out to the family and friends for help.

Reviewers of Medicine:

RN Anne Fetterman BSN

Dr Joseph Campellone

BSN, MSN, RN Raymond Kent Turley