Inconsistent Memory and Behavior Issues
Like most people, I assumed Alzheimer’s disease was mainly something that caused people to slowly lose their memory. Not only is it so much more than that, there seems to be no consistent way it affects people. My point is, just when you think you’ve figured it all out, you realize you have it all wrong. So get used to it.
Inconsistent memory issues
Sometimes my mom can’t remember what I told her 5 minutes ago, but other times she can remember everything. She also has an uncanny ability to remember details from a long time ago – even her childhood. And, up until this point, she still remembers names and faces but she struggles to find her words to say people’s names.
Some days, my mom will be able to make herself a cup of coffee, cook some eggs, and watch the TV all on her own. On other days, she completely forgets how to use the coffee maker, burns her eggs, and can’t figure out how to use the TV remote.
Inconsistent behavior issues
Sometimes my mom can’t complete a single task, other times she can be organized and get lots of things done. On a bad day, she can spend several days “organizing” the drawers in her kitchen because she gets easily distracted and forgets where she left off so the task becomes an endless loop. On a good day, she’s multi-tasking between laundry, ironing, vacuuming, and getting a lot of things done.
Other times, she does odd things like load the sink with garbage when the garbage compactor is right behind her. Or, she’ll spend days “sorting” through piles of junk mail because she forgets what she looked at and what she hasn’t looked at.
Here are some other specific examples you can expect:
- Forgetting Recent Events but Remembering the Distant Past
- Lost Memory: Someone with Alzheimer’s might forget what they ate for breakfast or that a family member visited earlier in the day.
- Preserved Memory: They may vividly recall events from decades ago, like childhood memories or details about their first job.
- Forgetting Names but Recognizing Faces
- Lost Memory: A person might not remember the name of a close friend or family member they see regularly.
- Preserved Memory: They might still recognize the person’s face and feel a sense of familiarity or comfort.
- Losing the Ability to Learn New Skills but Retaining Old Skills
- Lost Memory: They might struggle to learn how to use a new piece of technology, like a smartphone or remote control.
- Preserved Memory: They may retain procedural memories, such as how to knit, play a familiar card game, or play a musical instrument.
- Forgetting Recent Conversations but Retaining Emotional Impressions
- Lost Memory: Someone might forget that they had a conversation with a loved one earlier in the day.
- Preserved Memory: They might still retain the emotional feeling of the conversation, like the warmth of being cared for or the comfort of laughter.
- Losing Context but Remembering Songs or Prayers
- Lost Memory: They might forget the context in which they learned a favorite song or prayer.
- Preserved Memory: They may still be able to sing the song or recite the prayer word for word, as musical and rote memories are often preserved longer.
- Forgetting Directions but Navigating Familiar Spaces
- Lost Memory: They may forget how to get to a nearby store or other familiar location.
- Preserved Memory: They might still instinctively know their way around their home, like where the kitchen or bathroom is.
- Forgetting Tasks but Retaining Habits
- Lost Memory: They might forget to brush their teeth if they don’t have a reminder or routine.
- Preserved Memory: If brushing their teeth is part of a well-established daily habit, they may still perform it automatically without conscious thought.
- Losing Episodic Memory but Retaining Semantic Memory
- Lost Memory: They might forget attending a specific event, like a grandchild’s birthday party.
- Preserved Memory: They may still know general facts, like the names of their grandchildren or the concept of birthdays.
- Difficulty Recalling Words but Retaining Language Structure
- Lost Memory: They might forget specific words or names (e.g., calling a “chair” a “thing you sit on”).
- Preserved Memory: They can still construct grammatically correct sentences and carry on conversations, even if they struggle with word-finding.
Why This Happens:
Alzheimer’s affects areas of the brain differently. The hippocampus, which is crucial for forming new memories, is one of the first areas to deteriorate. Other areas, like those storing procedural or emotional memories, are affected later in the disease progression. This explains why someone can recall the lyrics to an old song but not remember what they ate for lunch.
Understanding these nuances can help caregivers and loved ones tailor their interactions to focus on preserved strengths, providing comfort and reducing frustration.