Memory Basics: Paying Attention Matters

Have you noticed that your memory is not what it used to be? Kathryn Kilpatrick offers suggestions for successful aging.

Kathryn Kilpatrick offers suggestions for lifelong learning and successful aging. As a speech-language pathologist with over four decades of experience working with older adults, Kathryn Kilpatrick specializes in working with older adults and their families facing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. In the last decade people of all ages seem to be complaining about their memory.

Have you noticed that your memory is not what it used to be? Join the many people, both young and old, complaining about forgetting something or trying to figure what they were just doing. There is no quick fix for improving your memory. Like losing weight, you need to be aware of what will help in your particular situation then make a conscious effort to work your plan.

I want to give you an area related to memory fitness that you can make your focus for this week:

• Pay attention to what was happening prior to misplacing something

Try following the suggestions and notice the impact it will have on your awareness and eventually your ability to change some of your automatic patterns.

This weekend in the middle of lunch with a friend it dawned on me that I left my wallet at home. Why? I was rushing to leave for a class and while I was taking some work files out of the car, I got an important phone call. I was now running late, distracted and left my wallet on the counter. Usually, I leave my wallet with my keys so I do not forget it, but I needed my keys to unlock the car. Multitasking, hurrying and distractions are often the culprits for many of our memory complaints. This is what life looks like for many of us in the 21st century.

Memory Basic To Do:

This week pay attention to what was happening prior to misplacing something. Were you focused on what was in your hand or where you were going? Was your mind on something else or were you interrupted? Change begins with awareness.

Kathryn Kilpatrick received her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 1968 from the University of Massachusetts. She has worked in a variety of settings, primarily in Ohio, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and for decades in the area of home health care. Kathryn is president of Memory Fitness Matters and Communication Connection. She offers memory coaching for all ages and has a geriatric consulting practice. She is a national motivational speaker and author of more than 30 products to enhance communication and connection as well as a Memory Fitness Toolkit. Kathryn brings her decades of experience as a speech-language pathologist to all those wanting to enhance their quality of life, particularly when there are communication, memory and cognitive challenges. Her websites offer information on a wide variety of topics related to elder care concerns as well as memory fitness and successful aging.