Tips for Improving Memory Our memory helps to shape and define
who we are, provide us with comfort, and guide us in our daily
lives. While there are many different types of memory we tend to
rely primarily on a type of memory that enables us to recall
information presented to us either recently or sometime in the
distant past. Memory can be affected by many factors including
level of stress, rest, nutrition, medical status, medications,
alcohol, exercise, sensory function, hormones, and information
processing ability. Common types of memory difficulties include
inability to remember names, forgetting directions, forgetting
where the car or other object is, and forgetting to complete a
task in a specified order. While it is true that our memory
ability tends to decline as we age, a healthy older adult can
recall quite well, particularly when given cues and prompts.
Memory in late life should not be confused with disease such as
Alzheimer’s that can impair memory. Here are some strategies and
tips to assist you