The term
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) emerged in the 1990s in succession to a
previous series of diagnostic entities dating back to the 1960’s which has
included such terms as Benign Senescent Forgetfulness and Age Associated Memory
Impairment.
With the increase
of cognitive impairment and dementia, there is increasing interest in the role
and scope of memory clinics or memory assessment services in the early
assessment, diagnosis and management of all subtypes of dementia.
Memory
clinics generally attempt to provide a multidisciplinary approach to the
diagnosis and treatment of memory impairment and dementia. However, little
consensus exists about the profile or complement of staff that would constitute
an ideal memory clinic, and services vary widely in terms of their
organisation, remit and functioning.
This
article is set to outline some useful “aide memoires” to help those living with
MCI as either a sufferer, relative or friends of someone with MCI. I’ve based this solely on my own experiences
and anxieties, but you might find some useful resources or ideas.
It is important
to understand the different types of memory storage because a person with
severe or progressive memory loss may have one kind of memory loss and not
another. For example, people with brain damage on their left side (the left
hemisphere holds verbal or word memory) may not be able to remember a shopping
list. Or they may not be able to remember the words in a conversation. However,
they may be able to use their visual skills (the right hemisphere stores
nonverbal memories). For example, they may remember the faces of people they
meet at the store.
A person
with a great deal of damage on the right side of the brain may not be able to
remember and follow directions to a friend's house but may be able to remember
conversations.
Document your memories
Even
before I had my children I documented my memories by pictures, every year I
would collate my photos into an album that I still thumb through even now to
remember some of the amazing things I have done and achieved.
In my albums,
I document holidays I’ve been on – like my holiday to Rome and my honeymoon to
New Mexico.
 |
| Being a Gladiator in Rome |
 |
| New Mexico |
Since the
Blogger Babies came along I document almost daily their achievements, this year
alone I’ve taken over 600 pictures.
I don’t own
a sophisticated camera I use my phone which is currently an iPhone 5s which is
8 megapixals on the camera (I’m sure that means something to the more technical
out there)
Stay Healthy
Keep up
your physical health. Eat a balanced diet. Get enough rest and sleep. Be as
active as possible but use common sense and stop before you become worn out.
General health is important to good memory function.
Daily reminders and Alarms
Daily I
use reminders, I have little check sheets and alarms, that help me through the
day. I have my daily routine written
down such as what time to start getting breakfast ready, and alarms which tell
me to take my medications. Establish Routines - Set up a routine
time for demanding activities, such as paying monthly bills the same days of
the month or filing important papers every Thursday. Organise - Keep items that
are alike in the same place. For example, keep all keys on one ring.
Repetitive
tasking also known as Same time same
The Same
Place - Make a list of items
that tend to get lost and decide where to keep them. Once you decide where you
are going to put items, keep them in the same place. Keep shoes by the side
door or in the bed-room closet. Wear your eyeglasses or keep them on your
bureau top. If you can afford a second pair of eyeglasses, keep one pair for
home use and the other pair in your purse or jacket for outside activities.
The Same
Time - Do a particular
activity at the same time each day. For example, awaken and get out of bed the
same time each morning. Brush or clean your teeth at the same times each day.
Take your medicine at the same time each day. Try to set aside a particular day
each week for special tasks, like shopping for food on Thursdays.
Attach
Meaning
Usually
people remember events that are important and meaningful. It helps to think
about why an event, person, or object is important and how important it is to
remember. For example, going to visit a friend to celebrate the birth of a
first child gives more meaning to the activity when you schedule it and you are
more likely to remember to attend.
Labels
Word
labels or picture labels help people find things. To find items easily in a
closet, label the closet doors with a “coat” label high on the door and the
"slippers" label near the bottom of the door. If you open my cupboards in the kitchen
behind every door is the label diagram – it tells me what should be in there
and where I usually put it. I also have
a diagram of clothes in the Blogger Babies wardrobe so that I can easily find
the right top for the right child.
Music
People
with memory problems usually remember events that happened long ago. Family
heirlooms, old photos or old songs from their teen years may be comforting to
them and should be kept handy. I have many memories linked to Prince and Purple
Rain and Yazz and The Only Way is up.
When I hear these I can recall memories from my childhood like they
happened yesterday.
Sometimes
these mementos remind you of fun times and friends. These memories can calm
down a restless or angry person. The person becomes caught up in the happy mood
of the memento and stays that way for a while. When an old photo or song
creates sadness or anger, distract the person immediately with a new activity- go
to a different room, get a drink of juice, or go for a walk (indoors or
outdoors)
I also
have a shopping list chart and monthly menu planner.
And when
all else fails I ask people to remind me, I’ll argue it didn’t happen like that
or that I never said something but usually people reminding me is really
useful.
