The 8 types of strategies against memory loss

A compilation of methods to mitigate the effects of memory loss in old age.

Although not everyone suffers from them, memory impairment and other types of cognitive decline are common consequences of aging, especially when it is pathological.

In this article we will describe eight types of memory loss strategies that can be very useful to compensate for the typical deterioration of old age. We will divide them into three categories: external aids, internal strategies and environmental adaptations.

Memory decline in old age.

Scientific research suggests that we tend to overestimate the intensity of the memory decline that occurs in old age, although it is true that some abilities are clearly affected. This is especially true for people with cognitive impairment, whether or not it is framed in the context of dementia.

According to studies, with aging, sensory memory suffers a slight deterioration that is not of great practical importance. Working memory is markedly affected, especially from the age of 70 onwards.The deterioration in this type of memory is probably the most significant of all.

As for long-term memory, deficits appear more commonly in declarative memory than in procedural memory, so that skills are usually maintained. Recent episodic memory, which includes autobiographical memories of recent years, is more sensitive to impairment than semantic memory (knowledge about facts).

These impairments have been attributed mainly to three reasons: the occurrence of deficits in the encoding of complex information, which makes memorization difficult.The deterioration in the ability to retrieve memories and the reduced sense of control in cognitive tasks, which lowers the expectations of efficiency of many older people.

The memory losses that appear in old age can be compensated by the use of cognitive, behavioral and environmental strategies. In cases where the memory impairment is mild, these techniques are usually sufficient to nullify its effects; if the situation is more severe, they can at least reduce the problems to a noticeable degree.

Strategies against memory loss based on external aids

The use of external aids for memory retrieval is the most important strategy to compensate for memory loss. is the most important strategy to compensate for memory loss at older ages. that occur in later life. Many people resort to these methods spontaneously.

1. External retrieval

External retrieval strategies include taking notes in a notebook or diary, asking someone close to you to remind you of something, or using digital devices (e.g., setting a text alarm) to facilitate recall of specific information. Recent technological advances have increased the usefulness and diversity of these strategies.

2. Internal retrieval

In contrast to external retrieval strategies, in these cases, a signal to recall is used to a signal that something needs to be recalled is used, but what is not specified.Changing a finger ring or making a small mark on the hand with a pen are two common external recovery techniques.

Internal or psychological strategies

Internal strategies to combat memory problems are based on the management of cognitions. They are considered the most specific intervention of psychology in this field and are frequently included in training programs for elderly people with memory deficits.

1. Naturally Learned

This subcategory includes all cognitive strategies that people possess naturally; they are part of the normal functioning of memory and do not require prior training.

2. Mnemonic rules

Mnemonic rules are artificial cognitive methods used to promote learning, organization and recall of information.organization and recall of information. Some of the best-known mnemonic strategies include the loci (or place) method, the hanger method, the link method and the rhyming method, which are based on words and/or mental images.

Environmental adaptations and cues.

These strategies consist of facilitating orientation and a sense of familiarity with the physical environment of the people who are in a certain place. In this sense, we can speak both of one's own home and of a broader context, for example, a nursing home or even a town.

1. Distal

Distal environmental cues are a type of adaptation that refers to the acclimatization of cities, streets or buildings to help people with memory problems to find their way around them. In this set of aids we find the indications on the doors on how to open them, the uniforms of hospital personnel, etc.

2. Proximal

Proximal aids are those that are framed in a more restricted environment, such as a room or a small apartment. They are based on the principle that the structuring and stability of the close environment of people with memory impairment with mnemic difficulties make it easier for them to orient themselves and reduce the likelihood of loss.

3. Personal

Personal environmental cues can be considered a type of external aid, and therefore can rely on internal or external retrieval; this means that they can be explicit, such as leaving a note in a notebook, or simply function as cues to remember something specific.

4. Reality-Oriented Therapy

Reality Orientation Therapy was created by James Folsom in the 1950s. This psychological program focuses on teaching skills that enable the patient to maintain personal, spatial and temporal orientation. maintain personal, spatial and temporal orientation.. Among the strategies included are external visual aids, sensory stimulation and verbal repetition.