|
Memory: What's
It Worth?
By
Beverly Moore |
 Quincy
- When people think of Alzheimer’s they immediately think
memory loss. What is so important about remembering? There
are many facets to memory, some obvious, some not so much
so. Let’s look at some of them. There is procedural
memory that helps us do things without thinking because
we’ve done it many times before. Riding a bike, brushing
your teeth and making a sandwich are a few examples. There
is semantic memory which is a general knowledge of
the world. Identifying Africa on a map, stating who Abraham
Lincoln was and what he was noted for might be a few
examples.
Then there is episodic memory; remembering an episode
or event in your life; your first date, your wedding day,
your graduation, a recent family gathering. Working
memory allows us to mentally rearrange information in
our mind, which is needed to plan a meal, a trip or balance
a check book.
The mind is fascinating. It takes in information, processes
it, stores it for us, and retrieves it when we need it. All
four of those brain functions are affected with Alzheimer’s
disease. Visio-spatial ability, recognizing the
meaning of patterns may be altered, so some surfaces become
confusing and cause stumbling. Perceptual speed is
affected; so recognizing the use of an object like a remote
control or a calculator may confuse.
It is known that the procedural memory and, oh yes, the
emotional memory, last longest in Alzheimer’s. And that if
doing something is combined with positive emotional
experience; the person can learn to remember how to do
things. We thought for a long time that people with
Alzheimer’s couldn’t learn anymore. We were wrong. People
with Alzheimer’s, when supported while they practice
remembering, can learn again. What a wonderful aspect of
life to have; one’s memory! Its value; priceless! |
About The Author
Beverly Moore is president of Sweet Grapes, Inc. a
licensor for StilMee™ coaches. Stil- Mee™ The leader in
Alzheimer coaching™. Beverly’s book Matters of the Mind…and
the Heart is available on line at www.Stil-Mee.com for an
autographed copy or go to www.strategicbookpublishing.com/MattersOfTheMindAndTheHeart.
html
|
|
