How can psychologists' understanding of memory help caregivers manage dementia patients' daily symptoms?

How can psychologists' understanding of memory help caregivers manage dementia patients' daily symptoms?

By explaining symptoms through models like WMM, Reconstructive Theory, and MSM, which suggest interventions like reducing distractions and using cues.

What is the approximate number of people living with dementia in the UK?

Approximately 850,000 people.

What statistic challenges the notion that dementia is exclusively a disease of the elderly?

There are an estimated 40,000 people under the age of 65 in the UK with dementia.

Which specific memory store is the first to deteriorate in dementia?

Short-term memory (STM).

Why can a dementia patient often recall a childhood event but not what they said five minutes ago?

Episodic long-term memory can remain intact while STM encoding and consolidation are impaired.

What behavioral state can preserved episodic memory create in dementia patients?

It can create a state where the patient believes they are living in the past.

What is a recommended response for caregivers when a dementia patient believes they are living in the past?

Caregivers should listen without contradicting to avoid causing distress.

What specific cognitive operation is commonly impaired in dementia beyond memory loss?

Dual-tasking or multi-tasking.

What conflict occurs in the brain according to the Working Memory Model when a dementia patient tries to multi-task?

Competition for resources between the Central Executive, Phonological Loop, and Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad.

What actionable step can caregivers take based on the Working Memory Model to help patients focus?

Minimize auditory/visual competition by turning off the television or moving to a quiet room.

In the context of dementia, what is a 'schema'?

A mental framework or category that organizes knowledge, aiding memory reconstruction.

Why might a dementia patient feel confused in their own home?

They may be unable to retrieve or match their current environment to their 'home' schema.

Describe the typical sequence of semantic memory loss in dementia regarding categories.

Loss begins with fine-grained categories and progresses to broader categories.

How can a visual or verbal cue help a patient who doesn’t recognize their toothbrush?

It can activate the related schema, aiding recognition and retrieval of the object's purpose.

What type of problem occurs when a patient can't recall a word according to the Multi-Store Model?

Primarily a retrieval problem.

What is a more effective question format for communication based on the MSM's view of retrieval?

Ask a specific, forced-choice question like 'Would you like tea or coffee?'.

Explain agitation in a crowded day room using WMM.

Dual-task interference from noise and movement overloads working memory.

Explain agitation in a crowded day room using Reconstructive Theory.

The chaotic environment doesn't match a clear, calming schema, causing confusion.

What is a key weakness of the Multi-Store Model regarding word-finding difficulty?

It treats Long-Term Memory as a single, unitary store, failing to explain differences in memory types.

How does Tulving's model provide a nuanced explanation for a patient who can't name a piano but can play it beautifully?

It shows that different LTM systems are affected separately; Semantic memory may be damaged while Procedural memory remains intact.