Older Adults Can Improve Memory

1
Older Adults Can Improve Memory

• Prepared by
• Jan Park
• Gerontology Specialist
• Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
• April 2002

2
What is Memory

• System
• Acquiring
• Storing
• Retrieving

3
How Is Memory Acquired?

• Three Stages of Memory
• Sensory
• Short Term
• Long-Term Memory

4
How Is Memory Acquired?

• Three Stages of Memory
• Sensory
• Short Term
• Long-Term Memory

5
What Mental Tasks areNeeded For Learning?

• Desire to Learn
• Decide What to Remember
• Focus on Information

6
How Age Affects Memory

• Divided Attention
• Ability to Learn New Information
• Information Retrieval

7
How Age Affects Memory

• Divided Attention
• Ability to Learn New Information
• Information Retrieval

8
Factors That Affect Memory

• Nutrition Deficiency
• Drug Interactions
• Depression
• Physical Inactivity (incl. Illness)
• Low blood Sugar
• Stress and Anxiety
• Dementias

9
Factors That Affect Memory

• Nutrition Deficiency
• Drug Interactions
• Depression
• Physical Inactivity (incl. Illness)
• Low blood Sugar
• Stress and Anxiety
• Dementias

10
Factors That Affect Memory

• Nutrition Deficiency
• Drug Interactions
• Depression
• Physical Inactivity (incl. Illness)
• Low blood Sugar
• Stress and Anxiety
• Dementias

11
Factors That Affect Memory

• Nutrition Deficiency
• Drug Interactions
• Depression
• Physical Inactivity (incl. Illness)
• Low blood Sugar
• Stress and Anxiety
• Dementias

12
How to Improve Memory

• Internal Techniques
• Association
• Visualization
• Observation

13
How to Improve Memory

• Internal Techniques
• Association
• Visualization
• Observation

14
External Process Techniques

• Written Instructions
• Organization
• Change of Environment
• Sound Triggers
• Group first letters of words

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External Process Techniques

• Written Instructions
• Organization
• Change of Environment
• Sound Triggers
• Group first letters of words