Memory loss affects not just the person with the disorder but family and friends as well. Some families make the decision to take care of relatives who have this problem at home. The families may feel a deep sense of obligation or detest the idea of convalescent care facilities. Whatever the reason, retraining the patient to eat, bathe, brush his teeth and generally get around takes a lot out of everyone involved. Patience and persistence are the keys to teaching people who have memory loss.
Step 1
Remind the patient that a certain task need to be completed. Gentle reminders will reinforce learned behaviors that were in place before the memory loss. Be patient.
Step 2
Orally give simple, concise instructions to the person. Emphatic words or phrases are not necessary and can only lead to further confusion.
Step 3
Avoid overwhelming the person by pushing her to remember things. This will cause stress and mental shutdown, making teaching impossible.
Step 4
Allow frequent breaks in between any lessons or discussions. This will keep the person calm and focused on the task at hand.
Step 5
Encourage participation in hobbies. This can help the person to remember certain activities he may have forgotten how to perform.
