Organizational Techniques - Improving Everyday Memory: Improving Memory Understanding Age Related Memory Loss

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Organizational techniques

Most people need to organize a multitude of facts each day: dates and locations of appointments, people's names and phone numbers, even where you left the car keys. Information that is well-organized is much easier to learn and remember than information that comes in bits and pieces. There are many organizational tools, including time-honored ones such as address books and calendars as well as electronic organizers that beep to remind you to do something. It doesn't matter which tool you choose; what matters is that you use it consistently.

Take advantage of today's electronic tools.

Here's a brief list of the types of information that people often forget and some time-tested organizational strategies to help you remember:

Belongings. Have a designated spot for your most important personal belongings (keys, glasses, handbag) and always put them there when you're not using them.

Meetings and appointments. Maintain a calendar or an electronic pocket organizer in which to write appointments and important dates, and keep it with you at all times. For people who don't use electronic organizers, some experts recommend a "memory notebook," a binder that has a weekly calendar and paper for writing down important information. Develop the habit of checking your organizer or notebook at least several times each day.

Daily tasks. In addition to listing your appointments, keep a list of the miscellaneous things that you have to do each day or week — people to call, items you need to buy, routine maintenance on your car or home, and so on. Keep those to-do lists in your electronic organizer or memory notebook.

Contact information. Keep your address book up-to-date with the names and phone numbers of friends, relatives, and professionals or companies with whom you do business (bank, doctor, dentist, etc.). All electronic pocket organizers contain an address book function.

Vital information. Keep important documents like insurance papers and medical records in a file cabinet or other designated location. Record other vital information in your electronic organizer or memory notebook. You may want to list the medications you are taking and when to take them; your medical history; names and phone numbers of your doctors, health insurance company, homeowner's insurance, and credit card companies; and work numbers of your closest relatives and friends.

Locations. Keep maps of your area and other places you visit regularly in your car or at home. Before going somewhere new or unfamiliar, check the map. Visualizing where you are going can help reinforce your memory of the verbal directions you may have written down. And just knowing that you have a map can help minimize the anxiety you may feel about getting lost.

Checklists. For procedures that you may have difficulty remembering from one time to the next (like using a digital camera or programming your video recorder), write the steps down and post them nearby.

Last updated:	January 23, 2007