We tend to think of memory as a basic cognitive function that’s either present or not present. However, the reality is that several different parts of the brain are involved in storing memories. Therefore, it’s possible for people to lose some types of memory while retaining others. Alzheimer’s disease is a very specific type of dementia that affects the brain in unique ways, so it’s fairly common for seniors with Alzheimer’s to encounter these memory loss types.
Semantic Memory
Semantic memory is essentially the ability to recall things based on context. As the part of memory that stores people’s interactions with the world around them, semantic memory is responsible for storing language. Seniors with Alzheimer’s tend to start out with a form of memory loss that causes them to mix up similar words like “chicken” and “bird.” This is often one of the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease, and it can show up years before other symptoms are present. Later on, semantic memory loss makes it difficult for seniors to recognize objects, generate complete sentences, or discuss complex subjects.
If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, help is just a phone call away. There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Home Care Assistance is a leading Tucson home care services provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
Episodic Memory
This type of memory is used to store information about time and place. It’s normally very important for human actions because it’s used to store all the events and experiences a person has throughout life. Alzheimer’s doesn’t usually destroy episodic memory entirely, but it can damage connections between neurons and make it difficult for the brain to access regions associated with episodic memory. Without the ability to access their episodic memory anymore, seniors with Alzheimer’s may not remember past events such as birthdays, marriages, or career changes.
Short-Term Memory
In the middle and later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, short-term memory capabilities may be almost entirely gone. Short-term memory is stored in the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain, and it can range from memories of events that occurred just seconds ago to those that happened a few minutes ago. Without this capability, seniors may have difficulty with things such as remembering a recent conversation or recalling where they just left their keys. Alzheimer’s also damages the hippocampus area, which transmits short-term memories to long-term memory storage, so making new memories can be a challenge.
Aging adults who need help managing mental and physical health issues can benefit from the assistance of a highly trained professional caregiver. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional elderly home care. Tucson, AZ, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Working Memory
Working memory is closely linked to short-term memory, but it’s a little different because its main function is to temporarily hold on to information while the brain processes it. Since Alzheimer’s greatly inhibits this area of the brain, it can be difficult for seniors with Alzheimer’s to properly process information. When they try to think logically, they cannot access the data needed to make informed choices, which means they cannot regulate their own behavior, make decisions, or think reasonably.
Without the right assistance, Alzheimer’s can be challenging for seniors and their families to manage. If you’re looking for professional Alzheimer’s care, Tucson Home Care Assistance provides high-quality care aging adults and their families can count on. All of our hourly and live-in caregivers are trained to help seniors with Alzheimer’s live happier and healthier lives, and we also provide specialized dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. If your loved one needs professional care, Home Care Assistance is here to help. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (520) 276-6555 to learn about the high quality of our in-home Alzheimer’s care services.