I just returned from a speaking engagement in Tampa where I discussed “Treating progressive memory loss.”  The thing to note in the title is that the focus is on treating memory –there’s something you can do – rather than treating a disease – there’s confusion about what to do.  The treatment for Alzheimer’s disease needs to be proactive rather than reactive.  The focus of treatment is to plan for a good life (everyone’s long-term goal regardless of memory) as you age even if your memory declines.

 There are two requirements of a good treatment plan.  First, build memory supports before you need them – use the One Minute Rule.  Second, build a life of engagement.  The popular advice is to learn something new or buy a brain fitness program.  Indeed, I recently read a neurologist’s suggested treatment plan for a client with the amnestic (struggles to learn anything new) form of Mild Cognitive Impairment.  The recommendation was that he learn a new language to stimulate his brain.

The problem here is that the client was being set up for failure. Learning a new language is difficult enough for most of us and impossible for someone with diminished short-term memory.  Relearning or expanding on skills or knowledge that one already has as well as by learning something new can stimulate the brain.   We fail to assure people that participation in any engaging activity stimulates the brain.  Stimulation does not have to put such a load on short-term memory.   There is a better approach for those with declining short-term memory.

I once had a forgetful client who tried to learn Spanish, a new language for her, to keep her brain sharp, only to be frustrated and feel “stupid.”  After a discussion of her memory and talents, she dropped Spanish lessons in favor of French lessons – a language that was rusty but already in her brain.  She thrived in French and felt good about herself again.

I recently had a discussion with a client who asked if he should buy a computer program to stimulate his brain.  As it turned out, he has mild short-term memory loss and is not good with computers – a new skill he needs to acquire when new learning is the challenge.  We discussed the trade-offs for him based on how his memory is working in the context of his life skills and interests.  As it turned out he learned to play the guitar as a youth but has not had time to return to playing until recently – a long-term memory already in his brain but is rusty.

We seem to make simple things so hard sometimes.  No matter how good or bad our memory, life is best spent in activities that we enjoy.