A common early sign of Alzheimer’s disease is short-term memory loss, which is linked to damage in the hippocampus within the temporal lobe. The temporal lobe of the cortex is located just above the ears. This area is responsible for taking in new information and storing it in the short term. We often refer to it as ‘the click and save’ - like clicking "save" on a computer. When dementia affects this hippocampus, the ’click and save’ is on the blink.
For example, you may tell the person “We’re leaving at 3:30 today,” they may initially acknowledge it. But minutes later, they may ask, “What time are we leaving?”. In this instance, they heard it and understood it, but their brain never saved the information. If you insist, “I told you already,” they may genuinely believe you never did – the hippocampus just didn’t hold onto it. This can lead to the person becoming agitated, frustrated and cross because they are being asked to remember something which in their eyes they were never told.
So, their anger, lashing out, going quiet or going into another room is not because they are being difficult. They’ve got to do it to get away from the problem.
Top Tips
Give the person a visual cue of the information so that they can keep referring back to this e.g. a picture of lunch club and the time you will be going.
Write the information down
Encourage the use of a diary or a wipe board where they can go to to see the information
Use small cards on a key ring which the person can carry which will tell them what's coming up that day
Don't give information too early or too far in advance, the person will fret about it
Try not to use questions which test there memory e.g 'Have you eaten today?' and focus on the need instead 'Are you feeling hungry at all?'
Use assistive devices to help with memory e.g. ask Alexa to give a reminder, use electronic pill boxes
Reassure the person that we all forget things sometimes and validate how frustrating it can be
Ask family and friends to wear name badges so that the person doesn't have to recall names
Remember to look after yourself - it is exhausting answering the same questions or providing the same information over and over. It is important to recharge your batteries. See our blog on taking care of yourself.
If you are interested in joining our next dementia carer training or in joining one of
our support groups, call 07472 564519 or
email hello@thegoodcompanypeople.org.
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