Memory aids in the home
Memory loss is one of the main symptoms of dementia. This Help Sheet suggests
some aids that can help compensate for a failing memory. Not all suggestions will
suit all people or situations, but some people will find a solution to particular
problems occurring as a result of memory loss.
It may be helpful to consider which of these
are problems for the person with dementia:
Finding things
Remembering to do jobs
Remembering if jobs have already been
done
Using the telephone or appliances
Finding the way around at home and out
Recognising people
Knowing who they are, where they are or
where they have been
What to do
Notes and routine
A whiteboard or cork board near the fridge is
useful to record important phone numbers,
messages, tasks for the day and a record of
visits to be made during the day by service
providers or friends.
A diary, note book or communication book
can be carried in the person’s handbag.
Shopping and appointments
A shopping list may become essential to avoid
forgetting items or buying duplicates. In some
cases standard shopping lists can be held by
trusted shop keepers, and standard shopping
orders can be arranged for home delivery.
To help remember important information
when going to an appointment, prepare notes,
questions and documents in advance, and put
Your Alzheimer’s Association can
be contacted directly on the:
Dementia Helpline
Freecall 1800 639 331
the environment and dementia
them in an envelope to take along. Leave them
ready on the hall table or even at the door. If
necessary arrange for someone to accompany
the person to an appointment to ensure that
adequate information is provided or collected.
Make a sign to remind the person of today’s
appointment to help them get ready. Put the
sign somewhere prominent like at the
breakfast table.
Time and date
Use clocks and watches with large numbers.
Check clocks regularly if the person with
dementia lives alone. If they have difficulty
using conventional clocks try digital, or vice
versa.
Purchase a special clock with the day, date and
time and use in conjunction with a daily
planner which can be a calendar with big
writing spaces, a diary with one day to a page
or a whiteboard.
A weekly timetable of regular visitors, day
centre visits or regular appointments
positioned with the clock and calendar can
help orientate people to what is happening on
a particular day.
Cross off each task when completed or each
visit after it happens.
The delivery of a daily newspaper helps many
people to know the day and date. Remove old
papers regularly so they will not be confused
with the current paper
Each Australian State and Territory has an
Alzheimer’s Association which can provide
further information, counselling and support for
carers of people with dementia.
Telephone
Suggestions for keeping track of messages,
phone calls, and even ideas include:
• Note pads beside the phone, meal table
and bed
• A regular spot like a notice board or hall
table for all messages
• A message book to record all phone calls
coming in
Display emergency and commonly used
phone numbers on a whiteboard near the
phone.
If living alone, the phone number of the main
carer or relative could be programmed into
phone memory and labelled simply. This can
done using the memory dialling function on
standard touch telephones.
A press button phone with large numbers can
assist with correct dialling.
Keys and commonly used items
Put items like keys, glasses, wallet, money,
camera etc in the same place every time, or
even in a central place all together - in a bowl
on the table or in a basket on the phone table.
Make a note of where that place is in case it is
forgotten - and put the note somewhere
accessible like the notice board.
Have all the locks keyed alike to operate with
one master key and get duplicates made for
family and trusted neighbours.
Make the keys more visible for easier finding -
attach a large bright coloured block of wood
or giant key. Establish a regular place to store
the key, for example, on a hook by the door.
Key holders or key safes with pin number
codes can be installed in a discreet place
outside the house so that trusted service
providers and neighbours can gain access to
the house in an emergency if the person
cannot find their key to open the door.
Medications
A reminder alarm can be set at required times
and used to remind a person, for example, to
The content and funding for the production of this sheet were provided by the NSW Ageing and Disability
Department under the NSW Action Plan on Dementia.
This publication provides a general summary only of the subject matter covered. Any person with
dementia or a carer for a person with dementia should seek professional advice about the specific case.
The Alzheimer’s Associations in Australia are not liable for any error or omission in this publication,
even if negligent.
© 2000 Alzheimer’s Association Australia
take their medication, drink or eat at regular
intervals throughout the day.
The Commonwealth Government has
produced a MediList card, which is specially
designed to help people, or their carers. Keep
track of their current medications and relevant
instructions including dosage and when
medication is to be taken. It is also a
convenient way of communicating about
medications to various health workers. The
card is available as part of the Carer Support
Kit which is free to carers. Contact the Carers
Association on 1800 242 636.
Photographs
Take photos of regular service providers such
as day centre staff, community transport
driver or the meals-on-wheels person. It may
also be possible to get a photo of the social
group at the day centre. Place photographs on
the fridge or whiteboard alongside regular
appointments or visits and label with names.
Use them to prepare a person for visits.
Identity
Maintain a connection with the person’s past
by surrounding them with old photos and
familiar objects.
Further help
This Help Sheet is one of a series of
sheets that summarises some of the
information in the manual At home with
dementia. The manual also contains
product information. It is available by
contacting the NSW Ageing and
Disability Department (ADD) on (02)
9367 6822 or from ADD’s website at
www.add.nsw.gov.au
A range of books, videos and Help
Sheets are available through your State
or Territory Alzheimer’s Association by
contacting the Dementia Helpline on
1800 639 331
These Help Sheets can be obtained on
the internet at www.alzvic.asn.au
Sheet 12
April 2000