Understanding How to Deal with Wandering & Dementia

You might hear a family member telling stories about events from 20 years ago. But, as soon as they get up and start walking, they forget where they were going. On the contrary, they may forget something that occurred 20 seconds ago. When memory creation occurs in the brain, the memories are saved in either your short- or long-term memory.

Short-term and long-term memory loss have different characteristics, impacting how an individual deals with people or situations.

Some short-term and long-term memory problems might be typical signs of ageing. However, some memory issues might be more prevalent, indicating a significant health concern, such as dementia. If your loved one's memory issues root from dementia, you can help them by looking into dementia residential care homes where they can attain specialized care from registered nurses. But, before you seek help, you need to learn more about the differences between short- and long-term memory loss.

What is Short-Term Memory Loss?

When individuals remember an incident from several years back but have difficulty recollecting the details of an incident from a few minutes back, they have short-term memory loss.

Short-term memories are brief and last for a very short time. According to researchers Atkinson and Shiffrin, the duration of short-term memory is between 15 and 30 seconds. After this time, the data fades from the brain unless the individual with memory loss verbally repeats the information repeatedly.

Causes of Short-Term Memory Loss

When you're trying to figure out what causes short-term memory loss, you will need to consider numerous factors.

· Ageing

· Head injuries

· Brain clots, tumours, or strokes

· Infections in the brain

· Some forms of dementia

· Extreme stress

· Substance abuse, such as alcohol or tobacco

· Lack of vitamins, such as B-12

· Certain medications, such as anxiety medication or antidepressants

· Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Symptoms of Short-Term Memory Loss

It can be challenging to identify short-term memory loss sometimes, and you may confuse short-term memory loss with typical memory loss caused by ageing. However, these are some symptoms to watch when you suspect someone close to you has short-term memory loss.

· Trouble remembering recent events

· Forgetting the name of someone they met recently

· Problem recollecting memory of where they kept something

· Repeatedly asking the same questions

Some of these short-term memory loss symptoms may even indicate the possibility of dementia development. In the early stages of Alzheimer's, short-term memory loss and the inability to remember recent events are prevalent indicators of the disease.

What is Long-Term Memory Loss?

If your loved one is starting to get lost on their way home or mixing up common words during conversation, they might have long-term memory loss.

Long-term memory is how the brain stores information over time, including facts, events, and how to complete tasks. Unfortunately, long-term memory loss can affect an individual's daily life and make it difficult to complete daily activities.

Causes of Long-Term Memory Loss

Figuring out what causes long-term memory loss can sometimes be challenging. Sometimes, it may occur due to mild cognitive impairment, which is not uncommon. In 2013, 16 -20 percent of adults over 60 had some form of mild cognitive impairment. However, your loved one might have developed long-term memory loss for other reasons.

· Stress

· Specific medication, such as anxiety medication

· Lack of vitamins, such as B12

· Mental health problems, such as depression

· Severe brain injuries or infections

· Drug and alcohol abuse

· Oxygen loss

· Dementia

· Hydrocephalus (water on the brain)

Symptoms of Long-Term Memory Loss

Although some long- and short-term memory loss symptoms might be similar, there are significant indicators of long-term memory loss that you should keep on your radar.

· Forgetting common words

· Mixing up familiar words, such as referring to a blanket as a bed

· Getting lost in familiar places or forgetting the way back home

· Taking longer to complete daily tasks

· Increased irritability or other mood changes

· Confusion about people or places

Memory Loss & Dementia

Memory loss can occur due to various reasons, as mentioned above. However, the different forms of dementia might be triggering memory problems within some adults. If your loved one forgets things frequently, you may need to get a diagnosis to determine whether it is a sign of dementia.

Dementia is likely to affect the short-term memory first and eventually lead to long-term memory loss if left untreated. Conditions such as Alzheimer's and vascular dementia affect the short-term memory within the first few stages of dementia. The sooner you recognize the issue and encourage your loved ones to achieve professional help, the better it is for their memory. SageCare provides specialized senior dementia care to help every individual requiring memory care age in place.

Living in a home-like environment at one of the best retirement homes in Toronto will ensure that your loved one receives the care they need. The registered nurses at our home put residents first to provide the care they need to be happy and healthy.

Tips for Managing Memory Problems

Although you cannot turn back time and reverse long- and short-term memory loss, you can take measures to help your family or friend tackle memory problems. Here are some tips to help your loved one manage memory problems.

Stay Physically Active

Physical activity will increase blood flow to the brain, keeping memories active. Standard recommendations advise half an hour of moderate physical activity for most of the week to improve memory.

Keep the Brain Engaged

Activities that stimulate the brain can reduce the risk of memory loss. Many activities such as finishing a puzzle, learning a new language, or playing an instrument can keep the brain active and engaged.

Maintain Social Life

Lack of social interaction can increase the risk of stress and depression, leading to short-term and long-term memory loss. Staying connected with people can help the brain remain happy, lowering the risk of depression and other factors contributing to memory problems.

Feed Your Brain

Maintaining a healthy diet consisting of fruits, whole grains, and protein can help brain development and function. On the other hand, consumption of items such as alcohol can have the opposite effect and cause confusion, leading to memory loss. Eating and drinking healthy items is vital to reduce memory loss risk.

Seek Professional Help

It is crucial to identify when an individual needs help. When memory loss affects one's ability to perform daily activities or poses a health risk, professional help is necessary. So, Alzheimer's and memory care go hand in hand while attempting to tackle memory loss problems.

Helping A Loved One with Memory Loss

If your loved one is showing symptoms of memory loss, they may need your support during this challenging time. Luckily, there are actions you could take for both short-term and long-term memory loss problems, allowing you to help your family or friends when they need a lending hand. To better understand how you can help a loved one with memory loss, you can reach out to SageCare for further assistance.

Short Term Vs Memory Loss: What Are the Differences?