The Challenge Of Remembering: 5 Ways To Help Someone You Love With Memory Problems
When remembering becomes challenging, life becomes very frustrating. Whether you're the person with the problem or someone who loves them, the gradual fading away turns into personal and familial tragedy. Sometimes, though, you can strengthen the memory, much like a muscle, and keep it working longer. If someone you love needs help with memory care, there are little things you can do to help them.
Hang A Calendar
A large and easy to read calendar should be on full display wherever they live, with days gone by crossed off. Also, it's important to mark relevant days, such as those when you'll be visiting your loved one or birthdays and other milestones of the people you all care about. Indicate appointments, too, so your loved one always knows what's going on from day to day.
Put Photos Up
Current photos are good at keeping memories fresh; however, old pictures can work to jog memories, so rotate the photos you put up. If you visit the home often, just keep some extra framed photos in your trunk and bring a couple in every other visit or so, switching them out. That should serve as a good mental exercise, along with keeping the environment more active and interesting.
Keep News Coming
Listening to the news can serve the purpose of reminding someone what day and season it is. It also keeps them thinking about life and the world around them, which is far better than staring out a window in silence. Bring newspapers, too, and if you have time, circle articles your loved one might be interested in to show an extra touch of caring. Make sure you don't fill in favored puzzles, like the crossword or word search, so your friend or relative can enjoy doing them.
Add Selected Music
Music, whether you're listening to it consciously or subconsciously, activates brain cells, and that alone is good for someone facing memory challenges. If possible, period music, such as the most popular songs of a particular era, can do a lot to boost mood, which, in turn, can be beneficial to the brain in general. If your loved one lives in a nursing home or assisted living center, make sure the music doesn't interfere with other residents or hard-working staff.
While you can't stop anyone's memory from shutting down, gradually closing out the world, you might be able to slow the process down a little or at least stave it off on good days. If that's all you have left together, that can be everything, so don't give up, work closely with staff at the nursing home or assisted living (if your loved one lives in such a place), and stay as positive as possible.