Memory Loss and Dementia

Memory loss is a distressing part of dementia, both for the person with the condition and for the people around them.

People with dementia often experience memory loss. This is because dementia is caused by damage to the brain, and this damage can affect areas of the brain involved in creating and retrieving memories.

For a person with dementia, memory problems will become more persistent and will begin to affect everyday life. This can be difficult to cope with, both for the person themselves and for the people around them.

However, there are ways to help a person with dementia manage their memory problems and stay independent for longer.

What does memory loss look like in a person with dementia ?

Memory loss can be a symptom of any type of dementia. For people with Alzheimer’s disease, it is often among the very first signs.

Memory can be affected in different ways. These include:

not being able to create new memories – this means that recent events are not ‘recorded’ in the person’s memory and so cannot be recalled later. For example, the person may forget a conversation they have just had.
taking longer to retrieve information – this means that, even though the person is still able to recall things, this takes them much longer or they might need a prompt. For example, they might need more time to find the name for an object.
not being able to retrieve information – this means that, even though the person may be able to create new memories, they are not able to access them when needed. For example, they may get lost in familiar surroundings or on journeys they have taken many times.