Myth: Dementia means a person becomes ‘like a child’
Lifetime memories
A person with dementia has difficulties with their memory so that:
- it becomes hard to remember what has happened recently
- it becomes difficult to learn new things, and
- memories from the past can become more ‘real’ as difficulties increase.
Throughout a person’s lifetime memories are built up so the person with dementia has a wealth of memories and information. However with dementia organising and accessing memories and information becomes increasingly difficult, affecting ability to manage everyday life in the usual way.
Thinking difficulties can lead to the following:
- it becomes hard to work out how to do everyday tasks
- it becomes hard to concentrate and focus on tasks, and
- losing track when undertaking a task with multiple stages.
Task 2: In your notebook list 3 everyday tasks that a person with dementia may struggle with because of the difficulties with memory and thinking. For example, managing to pay household bills and money matters.