It may be a painful process watching your once alert loved ones become more disoriented. Seeing them struggle to recall the name of their dinner last night or the name of the television show they were watching in the afternoon are common symptoms of age-related memory loss. Despite your worries, such occasional lapses in their memory are a common occurrence amongst seniors. However, there are ways that you can help your relatives who may be facing such memory loss. Here are our top tips for caretakers for you to best take care of your loved ones with memory loss
Understanding Their Problem
Many times, your fear of your loved ones’ memory loss comes from a lack of understanding of this issue. As your relatives age, they may begin rejecting memories that they deem as not critical. The rejection of such non-critical memories is what results in mild forms of memory loss. As a caregiver, keep an eye out for the severity of the memory loss your loved one is facing. Severe memory loss may prevent your loved ones from carrying out basic tasks, like wearing their shoes or finding their way back home. This can be indicative of a more serious issue, such as dementia. Hence, you need to understand more about the different forms of memory loss and seek timely medical attention if needed.
Establishing Routine
Bringing a sense of order and routine to the lives of your loved ones can be greatly beneficial for their memory. When they have activities that are carried out at regular times on regular days, there is a higher likelihood for them to recall this activity. Hence, recurring tasks that can be scheduled on a routine basis should be carried out more regularly.
Dietary Changes
The type of diet your loved one is on is also intertwined with their ability to recall! If your relative is consuming foods that are higher in saturated fats and sugary foods, it may be time to reassess their food options. Saturated fats have been linked to poorer memory retention. Hence, replace these less healthy options for foods that are higher in omega-3, such as fish. Eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and healthy fat can also decrease mental sluggishness and aid in their ability to remember better.
Using Reminding Strategies
These are more specific techniques that you can use so that your loved ones can boost their memory. You can encourage your relatives to bring around a notebook where they can jot down important information, such as names and dates. You can also try to simplify instructions as complex instructions may be harder for them to recall.
At Rittenhouse Village At Portage, we can provide round-the-clock attention for your loved ones if you feel that being their primary caregiver is becoming increasingly more difficult. Our attentive team members are always ready to help out to make life easier for both you and your loved ones! Furthermore, SHINE® Memory Care is our exclusive memory care program to improve the quality of your loved ones’ life if they are grappling with dementia.
