Aide memoire: For Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

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.