Top tips to improve memory problems
Which memory exercises can Alzheimer's patients do to best deal with this disease? Are Alzheimer's patients allowed to drive? All the tips will make it easier for you to deal with Alzheimer's disease and make you feel better.
Living with Alzheimer's disease is a challenge for everyone. Alzheimer's patients have difficulty remembering things, making decisions, knowing ways they previously knew, and more. Alzheimer's disease can be a very frustrating disease, like any disease also in this disease there are good days and bad days. In the following article, we have compiled useful tips to help alleviate memory problems and improve the quality of life for Alzheimer's patients.
Ways to help you deal with memory problems:
- Always keep a notebook containing important information such as phone numbers, names, ideas, meetings, addresses, and signs pointing to your home.
- Put out stickers around the house with notes when there are some things you need to remember.
- Put these stickers on cabinets and drawers with words or pictures that describe their contents.
- Leave a sheet of paper next to your phone that contains capital letters for the phone numbers important to you.
- Ask a friend or family member to call you and remind you of the important things you need to do that day, such as meal times, medication, and meetings.
- Use the annual calendar list to keep track of dates and to record important dates.
- Put pictures of people you see in a lot with their names next to each picture.
- Track phone messages through the answering machine.
How to avoid forgetting things?
- Seek help if necessary and explain that you have a memory problem.
- Always take directions with you on how to get there and directions to where to go.
- Ask someone to come out of the house with you.
- Take the time you need, and don't rush.
- If you need to ask someone what they said, ask them to repeat what they said and ask them to speak slowly if you don't understand.
- Avoid talking in noisy places, preferably find a quiet place to talk.
- Alzheimer's patients can live alone in their homes in the early stages of the disease.
Alzheimer's disease and driving
Driving can be a concern especially for people with Alzheimer's disease. Here are some things you should take into consideration:
- Check if someone else can take you to your destination.
- If you tend to get lost or confused easily, consider using public transportation.
- Only drive in areas you know or use a router if you know how to use it.
- Contact Alzheimer's Associations, they can help you with inquiries about available local transportation services.
- The Ministry of Transportation's licensing offices can assess your driving skills if you are unsure whether you can drive.
- You should know that at a certain point driving will not be safe for you and you should stop driving completely.
Alzheimer's and stay at home. How do you take care of yourself?
- There are local Alzheimer's Associations that can tell you how to get help with everyday things like shopping at the supermarket, preparing meals, transportation, and more.
- Ask your trusted neighbor to keep a copy of your house keys. Check if someone in your family can help you organize your cupboards and drawers, to make things easier for you to find.
- Ask a family member to check things around the house, for example, electrical appliances, the mailbox, etc.
- Keep a list of important emergency numbers near the phone.
- Ask a family member or friend to call you every day to make sure you're all right.
- Have someone check the smoke detector in your home regularly.
Alzheimer's and economic independence
It is preferable to make an arrangement for direct deposit of checks, such as a retirement pension or Social Security benefits. Inform your bank if you have difficulty keeping track of your accounts and recording and keeping related documents. The bank can offer special services for people with Alzheimer's disease, you should check that out.
It is important to understand that at a certain stage it will be very difficult or dangerous for you to live on your own. However, in the early stages of the disease, many people with Alzheimer's disease manage on their own and with the help of family members, friends, and the community to live a normal life for a long time.