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Memory
improvement
Memory problems often go hand-in-hand with brain
injury.
| Memory
is often not so much lost as hard to find. Steven Rose |
Remembering
involves several structures within the brain. Damage any of these
structures and memory suffers. Here is a quick rundown of problems
and suggestions for coping with them.
Just taking in information can be difficult for the brain injured.
Language or perceptual problems can cause confusion or overload. To
help, try the following:
 | Simplify
Use easier words and shorter
sentences. Break instructions into individual steps. |
| Restate
Put information into your own words.
Does it make sense? This allows you (and others) to test for
understanding. |
| Link
If possible, associate new information
with something you already know. |
| Organize
Group items into meaningful
categories. You can organize by time, location, color, shape,
size, function, even age! Be creative. |
| Break it up
Don't try to take in too much at
one time. Concentrate for a few minutes, then move on to
something else. You will learn more in several short sessions
than one long one. |
| The
Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve: One hour after assimilating new
information, over half of it is already forgotten. |
Just absorbing information is not enough. You have to hang onto
it. To reduce memory-seepage, try this:
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Rehearse
Immediately after seeing or hearing
something, try to recall it. Wait a few minutes, then check
again. Gradually lengthen the intervals between rehearsals. |
| Memory is the thing you forget
with. Alexander Chase, Perspectives (1966) |
So, you've learned and practiced new information until it is safely
stowed in memory. Unfortunately, you're still not home free.
You need to be able to bring it to mind when needed. This might
help:
| Jog your memory Lose something? Think back to
when you last had it. What did you do next? And after
that? Mentally, walk yourself through each of the activities
that followed. Prodding your memory this way may enable you to
recall what happened to the missing item. |
| Use a cue
Symbolic reminders (the proverbial string
around the finger) are helpful. So too
are memos, timers, calendar notes, etc.--keep
them in visible, appropriate places. |
| Get organized
Have
fixed locations for all important papers, key
phone numbers, medications, key, wallets,
glasses, and tools. Think carefully
about logical placement of items, or this
won't work very well. |
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Develop
routines
Routines can anchor memories so they
don't drift away. |
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"Well, at
any rate it's a great comfort," she
said as she stepped under the trees,
"after being so hot to get into
the--into the--into what?" she went on,
rather surprised at not being able to think
of the word. "I mean to get under
the--under the--under this, you know!"
putting her hand on the trunk of the
tree. "What does it call itself,
I wonder?" Lewis Carroll, Through the
Looking-Glass
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Learn
more
These
techniques are only the beginning. Learn
more about improving memory:
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Improving
Memory
