| Short-term memory loss is almost always a result of | | | | been mentioned the previous day and cannot be |
| frontal lobe brain injuries. Shortly after the injury has | | | | remembered the following day. |
| happened, the short-term memory loss can be so | | | | My partner plays the game of 'pretending' to |
| severe that the memory of visitors will last only until | | | | remember. He'll say, 'Oh right, I remember.' He will |
| shortly after the visitor has left and memories of what | | | | continue to play the game even when I have told him |
| has last been eaten will be irretrievable. | | | | something that I had not mentioned previously and he |
| This type of memory loss affects areas you may not | | | | 'lets on' that I had already told him by pretending to |
| have thought of. In my partner's case, he no longer | | | | 'remember'. |
| watches any television other than the news. Because | | | | There are many exercises that can help the memory. |
| of his short-term memory loss, he is not able to follow | | | | One is to have him/her look at a picture for 60 |
| the necessary sequences of a program or movie to | | | | seconds to begin with and then ask him/her to |
| be able to understand what is happening. He also no | | | | remember as many things as they can about the |
| longer plays games with the family as he used to do. | | | | picture. As they get better, shorten the time. And then |
| And until very recently, he avoided socializing because | | | | when they have met that challenge, change the |
| it was difficult to interact in conversations when | | | | picture. |
| thoughts from the beginning of a conversation were | | | | Another memory exercise is to write down a list of |
| lost by the end of it. It made continuation and inclusion | | | | twelve items. Let him/her look at the list for three |
| in a conversation very stressful. He has improved in | | | | minutes and then ask them to write down as many of |
| this area when in the company of people he knows | | | | the items as they can remember. As they improve |
| well. | | | | and are able to remember more items, have them do |
| The more usual short-term memory difficulties are | | | | it in less time. Eventually change the list and do it again. |
| remembering appointments. Using a daytimer, calendar | | | | Short-term memory loss can be very upsetting but |
| or making a list are some of the ways this problem | | | | over time and with practicing memory exercises, it can |
| can be solved. The additional problem is to remember | | | | improve. |
| to use it. Another example is when something has | | | | |