Six Tips for Talking to Someone You Think Has A Memory Problem

Six Tips for Talking to Someone You Think Has A Memory Problem
It may be challenging to communicate with an older adult who has memory loss associated with aging, dementia, and Alzheimer's. There are a lot of reasons that these discussions can be hard for families to have, but knowing a few strategies can help. In this week's episode, you'll learn about the six tips for talking to someone you think may have a memory problem.
Part One of ‘Six Tips for Talking to Someone You Think Has A Memory Problem’
Previously, we talked about the ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease:
• Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
• Challenges in planning or solving problems.
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or play.
• Confusion with time or place.
• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.
• New problems with words in speaking or writing.
• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
• Decreased or poor judgment.
• Withdrawal from work or social activities.
• Changes in mood or personality.
All of those ten warning signs are things you need to pay attention to over time, and to look for patterns. Do you see something that concerns you every afternoon at a certain period of time? Do you only see it in the morning? Paying attention and documenting these types of details will help your healthcare providers figure out what's going on.
Keeping a journal to write down when and where you have seen any of the warning signs is a helpful strategy and helps to keep things objective. Write down the changes that you see in somebody's memory, their thinking, or behavior. What are they doing or what are they not doing that's worrying you? What specific day do they usually happen? How long have you been seeing that particular behavior, or when's the last time they did something that they used to do all the time?
Another consideration are major life changes - such as the recent loss of a spouse. Is their behavior changing because they have been trapped in their house for three months because of COVID-19? Depression and anxiety can look like a memory problem. Or is there some type of family stress that happening? Has anyone else seen the changes that you are seeing?
Watch the full episode for the six tips for how you're going to have this conversation.
About Melissa
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (‘96) and Master of Science in Nursing (‘00) as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) School of Nursing (SON). I truly enjoy working with the complex medical needs of older adults. I worked full-time for five years as FNP in geriatric primary care across many long-term care settings (skilled nursing homes, assisted living, home and office visits) then transitioned into academic nursing in 2005, joining the faculty at UNCW SON as a lecturer. I obtained my PhD in Nursing and a post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing (’11) and then joined the faculty at Duke University School of Nursing as an Assistant Professor. My family moved to northern Virginia in 2015 and led to me joining the faculty at George Washington University (GW) School of Nursing in 2018 as a (tenured) Associate Professor where I am also the Director of the GW Center for Aging, Health and Humanities. Find out more about her work at melissabphd.com/.

[@MelissaBPhD]

Tune into the full video to learn the six tips for talking to someone who has a memory problem.

[@bernardbaker2683]

First CRC edgerton mn

[@bernardbaker2683]

Edgerton man first CRC church service

[@bernardbaker2683]

Za0¡

[@2sidestothestory782]

I have a rare memory problem where my long-term memory completely loses information. I can't remember a (single day) of primary school high school or university. Information stays for a while but then there are dramatic and excessive fades within a number of weeks or months. Alzheimer's patients brains deteriorate to the point where they forget who they are and can't take care of themselves. My memory doesn't fade that way I know who I and my brain shows no deterioration but my long term memory on the other hand fades five times as much as my friends, family and every day people. I made a half an hour video going into detail seeking advice for anyone who's come across a situation like this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWmaYmCJbq2Mo6M

[@user-ci5si8jz5h]

Great tips Thanks for Sharing

[@bethharper3900]

Great talk

[@andydogdixon1]

I don’t have these warning signs, but friends tell me I need to see someone about my memory! I think I tend to get confused or forgetful in the middle of a conversation but it’s not anything like it’s being described here so I don’t know exactly what’s going on lol! Thanks for your video

[@grenciamars4876]

I cannot thank you enough for these videos. Since 2019, I've been involved with caring for an elderly woman who is essentially alone (one child lives nearby and has severed contact; the other is farther and struggles with bi-polar disorder/aggression). Over the last year, I've noticed her reliance on calendars, clocks, etc. has skyrocketed, and she rarely knows what day of the week it is without being informed by someone. This is in addition to some other warning signs, such as cryptic/illegible handwriting I've discovered, mixing up names/dates when telling stories, telling the same stories repeatedly, etc. I am going to reach out to a professional in my area this week so I can prepare myself to help Kate by having this difficult conversation. Your videos have made me feel more confident in stepping up to care for this woman who was a stranger to me just 3 short years ago. The situations that aging folks find themselves in are terrible here in the U.S. Eternally grateful for your passion and dedication to this vulnerable population. 🙏

[@rebeccagandi5301]

Thank you very much I was born in 1957 But thanks I am in the signs Of Normal aging Aunty Rebecca Thanks Doctor.

[@markspoor4663]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@dianelewis9458]

Excellent podcast. Thank you so much.

[@monalisadavinci8086]

Melissa, thank you so much!! God bless. 🌹🌹🌹

[@anissakafka7473]

😔I'm 30 years old I feel my memories going bad where do I even start

[@nxghtmare972]

Do you have suggestions for people in their thirties

[@alblahut2519]

THANK YOU. CALLED MY WIFE'S DOCTOR BEFORE HER APPOINTMENT TO GIVE HIM A HEADS UP. HIS NURSE CALLED MY WIFE AND SAID THAT I WAS TRYING TO ACCESS HER MEDICAL RECORDS. BIG BLOW UP. STAYING OUT OF IT. WATCHING HER DETERIORATE.

[@donnakennedy430]

I'm sorry this happened to you. I call all my hubby's doctors with my questions and concerns because he doesn't like me going with him to ask/tell on him. His GP and several specialists will work it into the conversation without letting him know it's coming from me. They wont call me back with any answers, but they will tell him and he usually remembers to tell me.

[@shaheenakhan9571]

Especially for fareeha alvi ….kuch bhi yaad nahi rehta …raat 12 bajay k baad fareeha alvi kya kar ti hai LOL ….kisi nay information dee hai mujay madam Paaleed