Memory loss can be stressful for the Alzheimer’s patient as well as the caregiver(s). There are ways to help the patient recall memories, however, and we are going to share some of them with you.
Look at photo albums
Photo albums are one of the most common tools that can be used to bring memories of people and/or events to the forefront. You can show the patient pictures and guide them in talking about the photos or allow them to help you put together an album, discussing the pictures as you add to the album. Just be careful not to push too hard if they don’t recognize or remember the faces, as this can be upsetting to them. Frequent showing of pictures is an excellent way to allow the patient to recognize and feel familiar with the people they see on a regular basis, even if they don’t remember them.
Multimedia use
The television isn’t just a source of entertainment; it can be used to stir the memory of those with Alzheimer’s as well. Old family DVDs or VHS tapes can be shown, or your loved ones favorite old TV shows or movies can be watched to aid in memory recall.
The sense of sound can evoke hidden memories. Listening to and singing songs that were popular during their younger days, can often bring back fond memories of those times to the Alzheimer’s patient. In addition to aiding in memory recall, music can also help calm down the agitated Alzheimer’s patient and enhance the mood of the depressed.
Rely on the senses
Smelling a spouse’s favorite perfume or cologne may help the patient to remember them. If they previously enjoyed baking or gardening, the smell of a homemade pie baking in the oven or of freshly picked flowers may bring back vivid memories. Similarly, to the sense of smell, tasting an old familiar dish can evoke memories as well, such as eating a favorite dish that their mother used to make that was made using her recipe.
The sense of touch can be used to trigger memories suppressed in your loved one’s mind. Items that are significant or have a special meaning to them can be used to unleash locked memories. These items can include: souvenirs from vacations, specific articles of clothing, family heirlooms, sports equipment for those who were previously athletes, musical instruments for former musicians, and stuffed animals that they have held on to. You can put together a memory box that can be utilized when your loved one is having a particularly difficult day.
Alzheimer’s steals the sufferers’ memories, but there are ways that caregivers can use the senses and other stimulants to help the patient recall some of these memories. We hope you will use some of the ones that we have shared or others that you find to help them to recall some of their precious memories.
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