How Alzheimer’s Disrupts the Brain’s Memory Systems

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How Alzheimer's Affects the Brain's Memory Systems in Tucson, AZ

There are four working systems in the brain, and Alzheimer’s disease can negatively affect each of those systems. You should learn as much about this disease as possible, including its impact on the brain and the body, so you can help your senior loved one slow its progression. Here are some of the ways Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain’s memory systems in older adults, shared by a leading provider of home care, Tucson families can rely on.

Episodic Memory

Episodic memory is the part of the brain’s memory system that allows your loved one to develop a unique memory of a specific event. For example, many people will attend a dance, but due to episodic memory, each person will have a different recollection, although the experience is generally the same. Alzheimer’s disease damages the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for helping seniors learn new information and retrieve recent memories. As a result of this damage, seniors often have difficulty completing simple daily activities such as hobbies they once enjoyed. It can also be challenging for seniors to learn new activities and store the new information.

Older adults with Alzheimer’s disease may need help with daily activities, and they can benefit from professional in-home care. Tucson, AZ, Alzheimer’s home care professionals are available 24/7 to help seniors manage daily tasks like bathing, grooming, exercise, and medication reminders. At Home Care Assistance, we believe seniors with Alzheimer’s can live safely and comfortably at home with the help of compassionate and expertly trained caregivers.

Working Memory

Working memory is responsible for holding information and making it available for processing. When the working memory is damaged by Alzheimer’s disease, seniors may have difficulty making decisions and controlling their behaviors. If your loved one is cooking a favorite meal, he or she may lose the ability to remember relevant information pertaining to the recipe. In addition to difficulty paying attention and accomplishing multiple steps, seniors with Alzheimer’s disease often cannot remember simple things like their addresses or phone numbers.

Semantic Memory

The semantic memory system is important because it affects the way seniors communicate with other people. When it is working correctly, semantic memory allows aging adults to interpret words and sentences and gives them the ability to learn new information. The semantic memory also helps older adults recognize objects and recall specific situations. However, Alzheimer’s disease can make it difficult to name a common person, place, or thing. For example, your loved one may have difficulty listing things in a category, such as zoo animals or various types of fruit. He or she may find it challenging to have normal conversations, which could lead to isolation and depression.

Caring for a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be challenging. Families who need additional assistance caring for an elderly loved one should consider hiring a professional caregiver. Tucson, AZ, seniors and their families trust in Home Care Assistance to provide high-quality in-home care on an as-needed basis. Our caregivers take pride in helping seniors remain healthy while promoting their quality of life.

Procedural Memory

Procedural memory is responsible for storing long-term memories such as driving a car, bathing, talking, and walking. When seniors develop Alzheimer’s disease, they often lose the ability to learn skills that become automatic. It may also be difficult to retrieve past skills from their memories. The disease also affects the sensory systems, leading to issues with emotions, memories, and moods. Your loved one may have difficulty managing daily activities, and he or she could develop negative emotions.

Alzheimer’s disease can impact a senior’s memory as well as the ability to perform daily tasks independently. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable non-medical in-home care. Tucson, Arizona, families trust in Home Care Assistance to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age. To learn about our high-quality in-home care services, call us at (520) 276-6555 today.

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