“Have you seen my car keys?” - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

“Have you seen my car keys?”Maintaining and Improving Memory

Jane Strommen, Ph.D., Extension Gerontology SpecialistAmy Lick, B.S., Extension Student Intern

Google Images

Slide2

The Human Brain

Slide3

True or False?

Memory abilities will decline in older adulthood so much that it will affect day-to-day living.

Slide4

What is memory?

It’s retention of information through time. It is essential for learning.

Slide5

True or False?

Forgetfulness is the top health concern for baby boomers.

Slide6

Forgetfulness is Normal

Forgetting where you left the car keys is one thing; forgetting what they do is quite

another.

Slide7

Human Memory Processing

Encoding

: getting information into memory

Paying attention to sensory information

Consolidation and storage

: how information is represented and kept in memory

Short-term and long-term memory

Retrieval

: getting information back out of memory

Recall and recognition

Slide8

Computer Memory Analogy

Encoding

Storage

Retrieval

Information is saved on the computer

Hard drive

Stored material is located and opened

Slide9

Types of Memory

Sensory: input stage; taking information from our senses: hearing, touch, smell, sight, tasteShort-term: the small amount of information we can hold in our mind at any one moment Short-term memories are fleeting and turn over at

a high rate.If you pay attention, the information, such as remembering a phone number long enough to write it down, moves into the working memory.

Slide10

Memory Diagram

Sensory

memory

Short-term and working memory

Long-term memory

Sensory

input

 

Information not

p

rocessed

Forgetting

Forgetting

Slide11

Group Activity: Digit Span Test

Listen carefully and then write down as many numbers as you can remember immediately after hearing each string.

Slide12

Digit Span Test

1-7-35-8-2-67-2-8-9-3 4-1-7-9-3-8-6

5-8-1-9-2-6-4-7 2-7-5-8-6-2-5-8-45-8-2-4-7-9-1-3-2-29-9-1-5-8-4-1-3-5-7-9-2

Slide13

Short-term MemoryCapacity is five to nine “chunks”

Only lasts 10 to 15 seconds without rehearsalOnly will be encoded into long-term memory and be available for retrieval if one is motivated or interested in remembering it

Slide14

Short-term Memory and Age

Capacity,

especially working memory, shrinks with ageAffected by speed of processing and attention

Google Images

Slide15

Memory Diagram

Sensory

memory

Short-term and working memory

Long-term memory

Sensory

input

 

Information not

p

rocessed

Forgetting

Forgetting

Slide16

Types of Memory

Long-term: Our memory bank; information is stored so we can retrieve it laterRecall: retrieval of information without external

aids or cuesRemembering someone’s nameRecognition: retrieval of information with external aids; identifying information as previously presented

Multiple choice on a test

Slide17

Types of Content in Long-term Memory

Procedure (implicit) memoryAutomatic and subconsciousIncludes skills and how to do things

Declarative (explicit) memoryConscious recollection of facts and experiences

Slide18

Procedural Memory

Examples include riding a bike or tying your shoesThese memories are retrieved effortlesslyDoes not decline with age

Slide19

Declarative Memory

We have two types of declarative memory:Episodic memorySpecific event or episode, such as remembering a family vacation taken last yearSemantic memory

Refers to meaning of words or concepts, such as knowing the capitol of South Dakota or the definition of a word Declarative memory is retrieved with effort and declines with age; however, decline in semantic memory is much less substantial than for episodic memory.

Slide20

Long-term Memory and Age

Less able to retrieve information without retrieval supportHave more difficulty getting information out of long-term memory

Google Images

Slide21

Group Activity: Part A Verbal Learning

Listen carefully to this list of 15 words. Right after I read them, write down as many of the words as you can remember, in any order.Take a minute and write down as many words as you can remember.

Slide22

Group Activity: Part BVerbal Learning

Now I’d like you to do something else. I’m going to show you some words. Look at the words I show you, and when you see one that was on the list I read, write it down.

turkey cloud coffeedesk gun teacherdog cat farmer

moon house churchstudent boat

pencil

School lamb vomit

towel stove lake

Slide23

Recall and Recognition

What type of memory retrieval did Part A of the test involve – recall or recognition?What

type of memory retrieval did Part B of the test involve – recall or recognition? Which was more difficult, Part A or Part B?

Slide24

Age-related Changes

Processing information is slowerDelayed recall is more frequent; older adults perform worse than younger adults

Recognition – only small age differencesDistractions are more disruptive

Slide25

True or False?

No matter what your age, more than 100 different

conditions can cause memory loss.

Slide26

Lifestyle and Memory

Slide27

Practical Ways to Improve Memory

Older adults can benefit from practicing memory strategiesPay attention Get organized

Use association Remember through teaching

Slide28

Practical Ways to Improve Memory

Say it out loud Use calendars, day planners, journals, diaries and “to-do” lists

Use electronic reminders and color coding/labeling Consider the optimal time of day

Slide29

When to Seek Help

Being unable to remember thingsAsking the same question or repeating the same story over and overBecoming lost in familiar placesBeing unable to follow directions

Getting disoriented about time, people and placesNeglecting personal safety, hygiene and nutrition

Slide30

Discussion

What are some of the practical memory strategies that may be useful to you? How could you use them in your everyday life?If lifestyle behaviors impact memory, what changes in your life can you make to maintain and improve your memory?

Slide31

Conclusion

Forgetfulness is a normal part of aging.Some memory changes are reversible.

You have ways to improve memory.Seek medical attention if memory problems are significant – early intervention is important.

Slide32

Special Thanks

To the following faculty for their expertise and assistance with this memory project:Linda Langley, associate professor, Psychology Department, NDSU

Melissa O’Connor, assistant professor, Human Development and Family Science Department, NDSUTo Ellen Bjelland, Ward County Extension family and consumer science agent, for reviewing the lesson

Slide33

Glossary

Encoding - getting information into memoryConsolidation and storage - how information is represented and kept in memory

Retrieval - getting information back out of memorySensory - input stage; taking information from our senses

Short-term - the small amount of information we can

hold

in our minds at any one

moment

Long-term

-

our memory bank; information is stored so that we can retrieve it

later

Recall

-

retrieving memories with no

hints

Recognition

-

retrieving memories by choosing from a

list

of

options