There are many systems that have been designed to assist memory – impaired people remember to do what they have planned. Below is a simple template for learning to use a memory book.
1. Plan the next day and write down goals. 2. Break the day into one- to two-hour segments. 3. Write goals for each segment.
• 10:00 a. m.“ Put laundry in washing machine and start”
• 11:00 a. m.“ Take laundry from washing machine and place in dryer”
• 12:00 p. m.“ Take laundry from dryer, sort and fold”
4. Set a watch or smartphone timer to beep at two-hour intervals. It is helpful for the caregiver to call every two hours to make sure the memory book is available and was consulted at the right time.
5. At each time interval, the survivor records the activities for the previous hour and carries out the tasks designated for the next hour.
6. At the end of the day, the caregiver and survivor review the day’ s progress. Adjustments are made until the survivor can follow the schedule independently. In our example, phone calls and the beeping watch or smartphone would not be needed after the habit of using the book is established. The need or ability of a survivor to use these suggestions depend on the extent of impairment as well as the degree of support that is available.
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