Caregiver Stress and Its Impact on Memory

Stress will impact memory skills. When a caregiver is on overload, multitasking, not eating or sleeping well, worried, depressed, or grieving, the chances for loss of information recall can be significantly impacted.

In times such as this, it is essential that modifications are made in the way information is presented. Stress reduces the ability to pay attention and focus but some of the tips below are a place to start. During my many years as a speech and language pathologist proving home health care, a complaint voiced by many caregivers was that they were worried they were developing a serious memory problem.

Here are a few of the suggestions to help maximize the communication for all involved.

Tips for the healthcare professionals

• Make sure you have the attention of the caregiver and/or the patient.

• Slow down the rate of your presentation of the information.

• Reduce the complexity of the information. Try not to jump from topic to topic.

• Verify that they have heard or understood what you have said.

• Put the information in writing or consider recording it so they can listen to it later and pass the exact words along to other caregivers and family members.

Tips for the caregiver

• Ask for information to be repeated when you do not understand it or your attention was elsewhere.

• When the information is new or complex, request that it be written down for you so you can refer to it again as needed.

• Verify the information you heard to be sure it is correct.

• Consider taking a friend along or a tape recorder so that you have a way to review the information as needed.

• Taking care of yourself should become a priority as well.

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