Have you ever forgotten to take the pie out of the oven and only remembered after you smelled something burning? Or forgot to take the reusable grocery bags to the store, or that important date with your primary care provider?
These are examples of one of the most important types of memory, called prospective memory: the ability to remember to remember.
Prospective memory is a form of memory that involves remembering to perform a planned action sometime in the future. This type of memory task is common in daily life and ranges from relatively simple tasks, such as taking out the garbage, to something more serious, such as taking your medications at the correct time.
But there is some positive news, as reported in Psychology Today. When prospective memory is tested in real-life settings rather than in a lab, older and younger adults often show comparable abilities. One possible reason is we’ve learned to use reminders and various cues such as a song, a face, or an image. The more cues there are, the better chance you will have of remembering.
For example, write a reminder note — but don’t bury it under all your other notes; set an alarm — although it won’t tell me what to do!; put the toothpaste on the left side of the sink to remember to brush with your left hand — which has so far worked for me.
If you are in a situation where you can’t create a physical cue, create an imaginary one, something wild and crazy and connected to what you are trying to remember. Picture a flashing neon door handle to remind you to turn off the lights when you leave.
And when you do remember, do it! We’re generally more easily distracted, and with any temporary delay, we are more likely to forget what we first planned to do. For example, take your medications before you are distracted when asked to take out the garbage.
As we grow older and wiser, remembering to remember can be a challenge, but you can take steps to adapt, so you don’t forget that truly important task: your wedding anniversary!
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Brain Tease: Another one of those “see if I can do it” brain challenges, and this is one you’ve probably experienced before — but unintentionally.
Make your grocery list and when it’s time to go to the store, leave it on the kitchen table — but don’t forget your grocery bags. When you get to the store, see how many items you can remember to buy. (And don’t get upset; remember, you intended to leave your list at home!) Then when you get home, check to see if you forgot any items, and if you did, you might ask yourself, do I really need them?
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The name of the odd-looking, droop-nose supersonic airliner that made its first commercial flight in 1976, cutting transatlantic travel time in half, was the Concorde. I received correct answers from Donna Mollet, Tom Schaefer, Judy Kiser, Dave Lutgens, Eva Summers, Mike Nagle, Lana Tepfer, Stephen Woolpert, Pat Pettit, Maria Kollas and Patricia Haupt, who is this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.
And last week, while watching old VHS videos recorded on my camcorder, I missed Nancy Higgins.
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This American rhythm-and-blues vocal group, formed in 1952, was among the most successful black vocal groups of the ‘50s and one of the first to enjoy massive popularity with white audiences during the segregated ‘50s.
For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of this group that featured a smooth, sophisticated sound and recorded the hits “Only You,” “ The Great Pretender” and the firefighter favorite “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”? Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-980-4645, or send it with a DVD of the movie “Rock Around the Clock” in which they were shown performing on stage with the Comets.
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Well, it’s been another week, thinking maybe I don’t want to remember all that I have forgotten. Until we meet again, take time to celebrate those special moments often overlooked.
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Once again, this is my first-of-the-month reminder of the nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals throughout the Gorge, where new acquaintances become good friends. Meals are available at noon Monday through Friday, unless otherwise noted.
Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) – Wednesdays with music on second and fourth Wednesdays; Dufur - Wednesdays at noon at 320 NE Second St.;
Hood River Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center (541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333).
For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services at the Goldendale office (509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068). In Skamania County, call Senior Services (509-427-3990).
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“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can never live long enough to make them all yourself.”
— Groucho Marx
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