Memory Musings

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Memory Musings

What IS memory? Is it this facility of ours that seems to slide away and vanish as we age? I’ve run into a slew of memory-related items lately. Ira Uslander, chair of the Commission on Aging, brought a program to my attention recently called “The Ashby Memory Method” which claims it “Improves memory and quality of life.”

Doing some research on this subject, I went to Wikipedia. It describes The Ashby Memory Method this way: “Cognitive Retention Therapy (CRT) also known as the Ashby Memory Method is a Cognitive therapy for dementia, based on the research of Dr. Mira Ashby. OK, so what is “Cognitive therapy for dementia”? I Googled it. Again, Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_therapies_for_dementia – In summary, early on, it says there are things we can do to improve a person/patient’s memory functions.

a. Behavioral – reducing specific problem areas by attempting to identify the origins of the behavior. (Ed. note: it goes on to say the problem of wandering is not one the areas that to date can be “reduced”.).

b. Emotion oriented – reminiscing, simulated presence (such as playing recordings of persons close to the person/patient), and others.

c. Cognition oriented – Reminding the person of time, place or another person, in order to ease the understanding of the person about his/her surroundings and his/her place in them.

d. Stimulation oriented – art, music and pet therapies. All kinds of recreation, with the main improvement being that of the person’s daily routine.
For the full article, please go to the link above.
Another new item in the news regarding memory and dementia… My summary is below:

Alzheimer’s Café to open in Menlo Park
“On Aug. 16, the third such cafe in California will open in Menlo Park, under the auspices of Peninsula Volunteers Little House…The point is for dementia patients and their families to meet in a relaxed setting… Barbara Kalt, executive director of Little House affiliate Rosener House Adult Day Services said people who suffer from dementia or who have spouses or family members with the condition can feel socially isolated. ‘They’re not comfortable with going out in public, fearful of being embarrassed,’ she said. ‘Contact with others just decreases. There’s no agenda. People will just visit.'” For the whole story, go here: http://www.mercurynews.com/joan-aragone/ci_18588499
The Tuolumne County Commission on Aging’s next GENERAL MEETING date: September 12, 1:30PM at Area 12 Agency on Aging. All our meetings are open to the public. Join us!

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