Tips for Staying Organized Through Memory Loss

When you’re living with memory loss, navigating your home and keeping up with daily activities can be a challenge. Fortunately, you don’t have to take this journey on your own.

Whether you’re dealing with mild memory loss, have a formal dementia diagnosis or you’re an Alzheimer’s caregiver, help is available. Read on to discover practical tips for staying organized and independent through memory loss.

Tips for Older Adults With Mild Memory Loss

If you’re struggling with memory loss but haven’t been formally diagnosed, you’re not alone. Around 10% of adults age 65 or above have mild cognitive impairment, i.e. memory deficits without major challenges in daily functioning.

The good news? There are steps you can take to make life more manageable at this stage.

Designate one space for your essentials

If you’re frequently frustrated by misplaced items like keys or eyeglasses, consider keeping these important things in one place in your home. Try placing a large basket in a highly visible spot like the coffee table or entryway.

You can use this space for all your essentials, such as your wallet or purse, keys, glasses and phone. This way, it will be easier to find what you need, when you need it.

Plan ahead

Rushing around before you head out the door is a recipe for forgetfulness. Instead, take time today to consider your plans for tomorrow — and decide how you can make each task more manageable.

For example, you can lay out your clothes, shoes and jacket before going to bed at night, and set out breakfast supplies like coffee and cereal on your kitchen table.

Use technology to your advantage

If you need help keeping track of days, buy a digital clock that displays the time, day and date.

And if you want daily reminders to help you stay on track, a voice-activated smart device like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant can notify you to complete pre-programmed tasks.

Tips for Older Adults With Dementia

When memory loss starts disrupting daily life, your doctor may give you a formal diagnosis. In fact, nearly 15% of older adults with mild cognitive impairment develop Alzheimer’s disease each year — and more than 10% of all older adults in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s.

If you’ve been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other dementia, try these tips to help you stay organized.

Set medication reminders

Managing multiple medications is hard, but there are products that can help. A pill box with compartments for each day of the week — with several time options — can help you organize and track your medications.

Consider using a medication tracking app like MyTherapy or Medisafe to remind you to take your medicine.

Alternatively, you can get an automatic pill dispenser or a pill organizer with a built-in alarm that notifies you when it’s time to take your medications.

Automate your bills

If managing your finances is becoming burdensome, consider simplifying your life with automation.

You can set up automatic recurring payments with your bank, credit card companies, utility providers, mortgage lender and others. This is typically a free service that enables you to pay your bills correctly and on time.

Take detailed notes

Need help remembering to follow up on conversations with others? Try recording the details shortly after each discussion.

For example, if a friend asks you to let them know when you’re free for dinner, write down their name and number, the date of the conversation, and the fact that they’re waiting for your call about your availability for dinner. Discard or delete the note after you make the call.

Tips for Caregivers of Adults With Dementia

Did you know that more than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias? If you’re one of the devoted family members or friends who has assumed this important responsibility, consider the following caregiving tips to help your loved one live well with memory loss.

Help them declutter

It’s much easier for your loved one to function in a well-organized space — so explain the need to remove some items from the house for their health and safety.

This will be a slow, incremental process as you tackle one area at a time (like a shelf, dresser or closet) so they don’t feel overwhelmed.

Whenever possible, involve them in the decluttering process to help them maintain a sense of control over their space. Try your best to be patient and withhold judgment during this delicate undertaking.

Label everything

To help your loved one navigate their home successfully, label drawers and cabinets with words and pictures of what’s inside.

For example, you can place labels outside kitchen cabinets to remind them where bowls, plates and cups belong. This can aid recognition, ease anxiety and boost independence.

In addition, it’s a good idea to label potentially hazardous appliances (such as a stove or curling iron) with detailed reminders to turn off or unplug these items when not in use.

Create memory boards

Memory boards are visual aids that feature important details like daily checklists, appointments and emergency contact information.

For example, a dementia-friendly contact list can include each person’s name and number, their relationship to your loved one, and a photo. You can create these reminder boards with your loved one and place them in a prominent location for easy reference.

The goal? To help your loved one stay safe, organized and independent for as long as possible.

A Word from ArchWell Health

Wherever you are on the memory loss journey, you are not alone. The compassionate team at ArchWell Health is always ready to assist caregivers and older adults with their primary care needs. Make an appointment with your local ArchWell Health provider in Omaha or Lincoln today.

A version of this column was previously published in New Horizons.