Memory Tips

I’ve come to find that it is very common for brain injury survivors to have memory problems.  People without a brain injury can hear that, but they really don’t have much of an understanding as to what that actually means.  I have been told several times that it just comes with age and everyone forgets things.  That may be true, but I promise you that memory loss as well as age related “stuff” is very hard to try to overcome.  Some just brush it off as no big deal and it doesn’t matter.  In some situations, it really is alright that people forget things.  Sometimes it is a big deal to me.  I use different techniques that help me to remember even simple things. When I meet someone new, I respectfully greet them being sure to say that person’s name and sincerely saying, “Nice to meet you __________”, with a smile and a handshake or just a quick little wave if I’m not near. During conversation I tend to use the person’s name at least 2 more times.  Saying it out loud with me hearing it tends to help me remember that person’s name. I have always been pretty good at spelling for many years so I tend to mentally try to spell the person’s name and mentally quickly draw the person’s first 3 letters on their face when I first meet them.  It is a prompt to help me remember that person’s name every time I look at that person’s face.  Apparently, small prompts help me. Also, for bigger things, I tend to use my cell phone to take notes when someone is speaking.  Some people, outside of professionally working with the brain injured on a regular basis, tend to give several instructions at once.  I don’t want to miss things; therefore I take notes on my phone.  Since my phone seems to be an extension of my arm, it is feasible that I take notes on my phone.  There are several free apps for someone to download on smartphones.  It’s a matter of preference as to which one a person uses. I like to be able to share with others what might be beneficial.  These are a few things that seem to work for me.  It may not work for everyone and that’s perfectly fine. -Catherine]]>