Everyone has heard of the "senior moment"; it is a time when the average older person forgets things that are well known to them. Things like the name of your dog, or the route to work, or what street you live on. This is an embarrassing situation for the older person. The feeling inside is that, "Oh no, I can’t remember my daughter’s name, I’ll look stupid to others, I feel lost." Panic sets in and the older person can feel ostracized from everyone around him or her. These moments are fleeting and they come and go at odd times, mostly when you least expect it, or when you are under pressure. Here’s a few things we seniors can do to lessen the impact.
1) Don’t allow yourself to panic. Understand that this is just a passing situation and that, in a minute, your lost thought will probably reappear.
2) Be kind to yourself. Everyone forgets things at times. As a person gets on in years he or she accumulates a multitude of facts and figures. Juggling all those things can get to be a huge job. A person is bound to make mistakes now and then.
3) Keep records handy. If you are always forgetting your wife’s birthday, start recording the date on your desk calendar. In fact, keeping all birthdays and anniversaries marked on the calendar is a good idea for everyone, young or old. Make notes to keep in the car telling you what streets to take to work or to the grocery store.
4) Make up rhymes or familiar sayings that you can memorize to remind you to take out the garbage or to take your meds on time.
5) Ask family and friends to help you remember. Just seeing your neighbor in his yard could suggest to you to sweep the driveway. Don’t be afraid to ask trusted others to tell you when your next appointment is scheduled. People are always pleased to help out their friend or relative.
6) When you keep forgetting the same thing over and over again, try writing it down and repeating it every morning at the same time. For example, if you seem to always forget to take your meds in the morning, write down this information: "I’ll take my meds at eight AM". Put this note on the bathroom mirror where you know you will be every morning. When you see the note, repeat it out loud three times. Here’s the trick: really concentrate on each word. Spend a few seconds looking at each word and notice how the letters are shaped. Repeat the message aloud slowly and deliberately. Concentrating on the visual note will allow the mind to absorb the message and you will have an easier time remembering to take your meds.
7) Repeat things to trusted others. When you want to remember something, walk up to a family member (who has agreed to cooperate) and repeat it to them as if you are giving them an instruction. For example, walk up to your wife and say, "take your meds at eight AM". This gives you the chance to reinforce the message within yourself and it tells the trusted other what you intend to do. They could assist by making sure that you actually perform what you have stated to them.
8) Don’t worry about it, most things in life are forgettable. Concentrate on the things that matter, you will find life much more enjoyable. Sometimes we all should take inventory of the junk that we have stored in our mental attic. Take a little time to go through and discard things that are not too important. Also, take time to reaffirm the really important things and people that are cherished in your life.