Memory is the ability to encode,
retain and recall information. It is something that
we use constantly in our daily lives from recalling
faces, names, and appointments, to the taste of coffee,
he smell of a rose or how to make dinner.
Following a brain injury the embedded
and long-term memories usually remain intact while
short-term memory is significantly affected. There
are numerous ‘memory’ strategies that
can make your life a lot easier.
Types of memory
Immediate of working memory-
This is the initial state of memory in which information
is initially taken through the five senses. This
type enables a person to remember a piece of information
for a short time e.g. remembering a phone number
long enough to dial it.
Short-term or recent memory-
This processes information long enough for it to
be used for a few minutes, hours or days such as
appointments, birthdays etc. There may be slow
and gradual improvement of short-term memory over
the years.
Long term or remote memory
Episodic memory-
This includes memory for personal information and
events in one’s life e.g. getting married.
Semantic memory-
Refers to memory for factual things e.g. the Shannon
is the longest rive in Ireland.
Procedural memory-
This type relates to memory for how to do things
like skills e.g. driving a car, making dinner.
Prospective memory-
Refers to memory to do something in the future and
involves planning e.g. remember an appointment
of birthday.
How does our memory work?
Scientists have spent years researching
the brain to understand how our memory works. It
is widely agreed that our memory system can be divided
into three main areas.
- Encoding- this includes processing
the information that is to be remembered
- Storage- this is when the information
is filed away and stored in a location where we
can find it again
- Recall- this involves the retrieval
of the information
People with ABI can have difficulties
with any of these three areas.
There are a number of useful strategies
that can be used in order to aid memory difficulties.
These include internal and external memory strategies.
Memory Problems following
ABI
Problems with memory are one of
the most common consequences of acquired brain injury.
These can include problems with remembering faces,
skills or ever events in our lives.
For the majority of people, semantic
memory and procedural memory are generally maintained
following and ABI. However, short and prospective
memories are generally affected, e.g. forgetting
to pass on a telephone message or an upcoming appointment.
Other memory problems
Post-traumatic amnesia-
This is a temporary state, immediately
after the injury, during which the person is conscious
but his/her everyday memory is not working. The person
will have no memory of their time in post-traumatic
amnesia.
Retrograde amnesia-
This is a form of amnesia resulting
from brain injury in which the individual loses memories
for the time period just prior to the injury. This
time period may stretch from a few minutes to several
years, and typically it is worst for events that
occurred just before the injury.
Lateralisation-
Dependent on the part of the brain
that is affected problems can occur in regards to
remembering events using words or pictures.
- Verbal, semantic or auditory
memory- associated with damage to left hand side
of the brain so there can be difficulty with words
and language
- Visual or spatial memory- this
is associated with the right hand side of the brain
and affects recalling pictures or images
Common memory problems
in daily life
- Difficulties with remembering
things when distracted or a delay has occurred
- Difficulties with learning new
information
- Remembering things from the
distant past better than events that occurred a
short time before the accident
- Having words on the tip-of-the-tongue
and not being able to remember them
External strategies
This includes using aids and the
environment in order to aid memory.
Routine - a well ordered daily and
weekly routine is very helpful for someone with a
brain injury. It can help to write out a weekly routine
at the start of each week and trick off events when
done.
Diary - this should be used regularly
and at set time to record important information such
as appointments and things to do. It can also be
sued to record your activities e.g. taking medication.
Other aids include an alarm clock, calendar, wall
chart, tape recorder or electronic organizer.
Well being - it is important to
look after yourself and ensure you get time to relax.
Internal strategies
These refer to things that the
person with the brain injury can do in order to aid
in memory.
- Prioritize information to be
remembered
- Repeat and rehearse information
- Use visual images and verbal
cues to learn new information
- Use acronyms / mnemonics that
are easy for you to recall
- Categorize information
into groups
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