by Sheri Fresonke Harper

Created on: September 19, 2009

As you age, your ability to remember such things as facts, schedule information, and directions will likely reduce. If memory has never been one of your strong points, aging will increase the problem. But don't despair; I have some helpful tips learned from one of the brightest minds I know, my husband, since he knows he doesn't remember well.

Cope with Forgetfulness with Routine

Place important things you want to find in one and only one location. If you wear glasses, take them off and put them on the same table before you sleep. If you lose keys, build, buy and or install a hook for your keys in a convenient location.

Cope with Forgetfulness with a Calendar

Schedule all of your appointments and put them into your calendar immediately. Include important events, details of where to meet, times and any information you need to bring with you. Husband and wives should share a calendar to help coordinate day to day planning. Often, for travel we add a spreadsheet that documents our entire agenda and budget.

Cope with Forgetfulness with a To Buy List

My husband and I ensure we have what we need in the kitchen by having a buy two, replace when the first is used policy. To coordinate the need to buy foods we've emptied, we each add them to a joint list located in a central place with a pen or pencil. When you use one, you add it to the list. This lets you buy in bulk, save extra trips to the grocery and prevent arguments.

Cope with Forgetfulness By Bringing a Map

Map Quest is so easy to use, it is often helpful to type in destinations before you leave and print out a map. This ensures that you will be able to recall where you are going and how to get there.

Cope with Forgetfulness By Reducing Clutter and Labeling

My hardest task is to find the notebook where I wrote my most beautiful story in a pile of notebooks. If you need more than one of an item, color code them or label to make them easier to find. Weeding out extra paper, old newspapers, magazines and mail will make a surface check for a missing item much easier to perform.

Cope with Forgetfulness with A Weekly Medicine Container

If you forget whether you've taken your medicine, many find a weekly medicine container helpful. When you take the last pill, refill your container for the entire week. Separating pills helps you remember how many pills you take. Keep a list of your medications you take daily on the refrigerators or by the phone in case emergency treatment is needed.

Cope with Forgetfulness with Vitamins

Senior vitamin supplements can be helpful for retaining memory function.

Cope with Forgetfulness with Memory Skill Practices and Mental Challenges

The more you use your brain as you get older, the more likely you are to retain your ability to remember and think. Write your memories down in a journal. Play the picnic game while traveling.

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