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| |  | |  | | | | The information on these pages is intended for general knowledge purposes only. If you have or think you have any of these conditions, you should contact your physician immediately. If you do not have a physician, contact:
Hartford Hospital's Health Referral Services: Phone: 860.545.1888 Email: CLICK HERE | | | |  | |  |
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Common Health Concerns
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Select one of the following:
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Memory Loss
Information is stored in different parts of the brain. Short term memory
includes things that happened moments ago. Recent memory includes information
from recent events such as breakfast today. Remote memory includes things you
stored in your memories years ago. As early as our twenties, we begin to lose
brain cells a few at a time. Our bodies begin to make less of the chemicals our
brain cells need to work. The older we are, the more these changes affect our
memory.
Your short-term and remote memories aren't usually affected by aging. But
your recent memory may be affected. You may forget names of people you've met
recently. These are normal changes. If memory loss begins to affect daily
living, such as forgetting how to do things you have always done easily or
forgetting how to go somewhere you go often, you should consult your physician.
Many things other than aging can cause memory problems. These include
depression, other illnesses, dementia (severe problems with memory and thinking,
such as Alzheimer's disease), side effects of drugs, strokes, a head injury and
alcoholism.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person’s ability to
carry out daily activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of
dementia among older people. It involves the parts of the brain that control
thought, memory and language. Every day scientists learn more, but right now the
causes of Alzheimer’s disease are still unknown and there is no cure. There are
currently treatment options that may slow the progress of the disease.
Things to help you remember
- Keep lists.
- Follow a routine.
- Make associations (connect things in your mind), such as using landmarks
to help you find places.
- Keep a detailed calendar.
- Put important items, such as your keys, in the same place every time.
- Repeat names when you meet new people.
- Do things that keep your mind and body busy.
- Run through the ABC's in your head to help you think of words you're
having trouble remembering. ("Hearing" the first letter of a word may jog
your memory.)
(Above information was compiled from
www.familydoctor.org)
For more information on memory loss or to make an appointment for a memory
assessment consultation, contact:
The Memory Disorders Center at Institute of Living
Assessment Center
Phone: 860.545.7200
Toll-free: 1.800.673.2411
www.harthosp.org/InstituteOfLiving/GeriatricServices/MemoryDisordersCenter
On the Web:
National Institute of Health:
www.nihseniorhealth.gov
Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral
Center:
www.alzheimers.org
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