For most people, memories are a mixture of thoughts that are easily brought back to the mind. While this is true, you may be unaware there are actually different types of memory that go far beyond merely being able to recall things that happened yesterday or years ago. Understanding more about the types of memory impacted by Alzheimer’s can help you make strategic decisions that help with your senior loved one’s care.
Short-Term Memory
Your loved one’s short-term memory is likely the first thing you’ll notice changing. Although most people experience occasional memory lapses, your loved one may notice these things happen more often. Short-term memory holds thoughts in the mind for a period of time that spans several minutes. If you’ve ever walked into a room and forgotten why, you can thank a blip in your short-term memory for that. Seniors with short-term memory loss may do the same thing, but several times a day. They may also forget to turn off appliances or fail to remember why they’re standing in a grocery store.
If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, help is just a phone call away. There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Home Care Assistance is a leading Waterloo in-home care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
Episodic Memory
This type of memory helps people remember events that happened in their lives. You may hear this type of memory also being referred to as autobiographical memory. Essentially, when this type of memory is working normally, your loved one should be able to remember the events of his or her life, along with the surrounding emotions, in the order in which they occurred. Once your loved one begins to face challenges recalling these types of long-term events, you may notice changes such as thinking he or she is back at work or that you’re a child. To keep confusion at bay, avoid arguing with your loved one. Instead, use moments of clarity as teaching moments when you can share stories to help your loved one retain lifetime memories for longer.
Aging adults who need help managing mental and physical health issues can benefit from the assistance of a highly trained professional caregiver. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care services. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Semantic Memory
Semantic memory involves being able to recall words such as names and follow the rules of a person’s native language. This type of memory tends to begin to fade in the early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease, and being unable to remember specific words or put together a story makes it difficult for seniors to socialize. You can help your loved one slow the loss of semantic memory by playing word games. You may also need to help your loved one socialize by providing more time to talk and opportunities to spend time with caregivers who are familiar with Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Procedural Memory
Many of your loved one’s daily activities rely on remembering procedures. In fact, procedural memory is used for basic tasks such as brushing teeth and getting dressed in the morning. Procedural memory loss is usually a symptom that appears in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease. At this point, your loved one may need frequent reminders of how to manage daily activities independently.
If you’re the primary caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, you don’t have to go through it alone. Without the right assistance, Alzheimer’s can be challenging for seniors and their families to manage. If you’re looking for professional Alzheimer’s care, Waterloo Home Care Assistance provides high-quality care aging adults and their families can count on. All of our hourly and live-in caregivers are trained to help seniors with Alzheimer’s live happier and healthier lives, and we also provide specialized dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. Call Home Care Assistance today at (519) 954-2111 to learn about our high-quality in-home Alzheimer’s care services.