Memory Enhancers for Those With Alzheimer's

The following ideas are easy to implement and will help you manage the daily life of a parent with Alzheimer's.

Calendar

Hang a wall calendar with large squares in a centralized location. Encourage your parent to keep track of the date by crossing off each day on the calendar -- ideally as part of a routine, such as first thing in the morning or before going to bed. Attach a pen or marker to the calendar with a string so it doesn't get lost. Mark key events on the calendar: trash pickup day, family birthdays or events, medical appointments, days any bills she still pays herself are due, family visits.

Clock

Keep a large-faced, easy-to-read clock in plain view in every room your parent frequents. Ideal is a digital clock that displays the day and date along with the time. You may also want to use written reminders ("I'll be right back at 2 p.m.") or an inverted hourglass to help track time when this ability becomes more difficult.

Hygiene prompts

Keeping important personal hygiene items visible reminds your parent to do personal-care tasks. For example, store the toothpaste out on the counter next to her toothbrush rather than in the medicine cabinet.

Keys and locks

Consider rekeying all the locks in the house so that a single key opens them all -- reducing the number of keys your parent has to fumble with on her key chain. Make sure you have copies of your parent's house key for yourself. Give another spare to a trustworthy neighbor in case your parent locks herself out of the house.

Pillbox

Whether your parent takes multiple medications or just one, a weekly pillbox helps her remember to do so day by day. Try attaching a cue card to the box with simple instructions covering when and how to take each medication (with meals, at night). If your parent has trouble remembering a pill that must be taken at a specific time, set a reminder alarm if you can -- or an alarm for yourself so you can call to give her a phone reminder.

Automatic bill payment

Reduce the number of bills your parent needs to keep track of by helping her sign up for automatic bill paying, which draws the funds from a bank account at the right time each month.

Clean sweeps

Clutter and mess can confuse and distract someone with Alzheimer's, causing her to forget where she's placed or stored items or making her less able to handle certain tasks, like paying bills. Toss old periodicals and junk mail weekly. If your parent uses a cleaning service, be sure the employees tidy surfaces and clear old papers -- without drastically rearranging things, which can be confusing.

Home delivery

Simplify your parent's routine by reducing the number of tasks she has to remember. If she typically went out to buy a daily newspaper, arrange for home delivery. Some stores will deliver basic groceries such as milk and eggs. Prescription refills can often be handled by mail.

Bulletin board

Next to the calendar, hang a corkboard where you can post reminders, frequently used phone numbers (including yours), and other important information.

A corded phone

If your parent usually uses a cordless telephone, she may forget to leave it in the cradle or base to recharge it, or she may simply lose it. Cell phone batteries may also run low and get lost. A traditional telephone attached to a cord is a fail-safe backup.

Reminder calls

If you're picking your parent up for an appointment, call right before you leave the house to remind her you're on your way. Don't call first thing in the morning for an afternoon appointment. When phone reminders are given too far in advance, she may become confused and start getting ready to leave right away, then wonder where you are.

Photo directory

If your parent has lots of different faces to deal with -- a meals-on-wheels volunteer, rotating home-health aides, adult daycare workers, physical therapists, doctors -- try taking snapshots of them and placing these in a special album or even on a bulletin board in plain view. Label them with each person's name and relationship to your parent. You can refer to the pictures as prompts before a scheduled meeting.

"Brain gym" activities

Although there's no solid evidence that mental gymnastics can repair brain damage already caused by Alzheimer's, or even slow its progression, some researchers feel intellectual exercises may help a person maintain what abilities they have. If your parent still enjoys reading, crossword puzzles, board games such as chess or checkers, or working puzzles, continue to make those opportunities available. Be aware that these activities can be frustrating if they become hard to follow, so they should only be encouraged if they bring pleasure instead of feelings of inadequacy or failure.

Repetition

Repetitive suggestions can be far more effective (and less frustrating) than using reason and explanations when you're trying to help your parent remember to do something.

Journals and notepads

Writing things down helps them stick in the memory. Buy your parent a simple day-by-day diary small enough to carry with her, where she can record big events (appointments, holidays) and other information she wants to remember, such as details of conversations or things to buy at the store. You can also record key phone numbers there for her. Prompting her several times a day to use the datebook can reinforce the habit. Keep extra paper and pens on hand at the telephone and TV in case she hears or thinks of something to record.

Labels

For some people with moderate dementia, it can be handy to put labels on a few of the drawers and cabinets that are most essential in the kitchen and bedroom. But keep the labels simple and minimal, as too many may be confusing.

Exercise

Simple stretching and other regular movement, whether it's done indoors or outside, is thought to slow the advance of Alzheimer's symptoms. If your parent previously enjoyed walking, golf, or other exercise, try to find ways for her to continue.