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My mother's poor short term memory reduces quality of life.

My mother’s poor short term memory reduces quality of life.

By:  Bob Glicksman   |  Posted: May 3, 2014   |  Updated: May 24, 2023

Problem Description

 

The problem

My mother has complete short term memory loss. Her long term memory is not impaired. The short term memory loss syndrome results in: difficulty in learning new things, difficulty in keeping track of things, social difficulty (impossible to carry on a conversation – always repeating questions and not remembering the answer), and confusion. Once a concept or fact gets past short term memory and into long term memory, she is as normal as anyone else.

Who has the problem?

My mother, age 100. The problem is very common in the elderly population in general.

What are their aspirations (relating to this problem)?

The short term memory loss syndrome creates great social difficulties. My mother will remember a question (“do you have my ATM card?”), but not the answer. She therefore asks the question over and over again. Social situations become very difficult and she will often interrupt a conversation between other people and ask the question that is on her mind. Answering the question only seems to stimulate it being asked again, over and over.

She will sometimes try and answer the question herself, which usually only makes things worse. For example, she will open her purse and her wallet to see if the ATM card is there and if it is not, she will ask the question. Even if the card is there, as soon as she replaces the wallet in her purse, she will open the purse and remove the wallet again; over and over, risking loss or misplacement of

Context

My mother is 100 years old. She lives independently and is able physically and has a good long term memory. However, she suffers from complete short term memory loss, which is common in the elderly population.

I know a number of older adults who are otherwise active and independent, usually living in their home alone

Background details

The short term memory loss syndrome creates great social difficulties. My mother will remember a question (“do you have my ATM card?”), but not the answer. She therefore asks the question over and over again. Social situations become very difficult and she will often interrupt a conversation between other people and ask the question that is on her mind. Answering the question only seems to stimulate it being asked again, over and over.

She will sometimes try and answer the question herself, which usually only makes things worse. For example, she will open her purse and her wallet to see if the ATM card is there and if it is not, she will ask the question. Even if the card is there, as soon as she replaces the wallet in her purse, she will open the purse and remove the wallet again; over and over, risking loss or misplacement of

View Solutions from the Longevity Explorers

2 thoughts on “My mother’s poor short term memory reduces quality of life.”

  2. Hello Bob,

    Hello Bob,

    Alexa never gets tired of being asked the same question.

    You might want to consider using the technique described in our article “Solution: Alexa Helps Me Recover My Memories”  by using Alexa to respond to various questions your mom may ask. You could add an answer yourself that she might like.

    You can even create routines to accept various ways she asks about her ATM card, that always get the same answer using a Custom Action. For example:

    “Alexa, do you remember where my ATM card is?”

    “Alexa, do you remember where I left my ATM card?”

    “Alexa, do you have a note about my ATM card”

    You could even add a button that your mom could tap to answer that question using our article “Solution: Button to Trigger Alexa Routine”.

    Phrases like “Where is my ATM card…” or “Find my ATM card…” can be misunderstood and get the wrong Alexa reply. Spoken commands containing the word “remember” or “note” are more likely to succeed.

    A button solution would help ensure that a spoken command wasn’t misinterpreted.