Improving Your Memory: How to Remember What You're Starting to Forget

by Janet Fogler, Lynn Stern

Overview

An essential handbook packed with proven techniques for remembering what you don’t want to forget.

In the years since the previous edition of Improving Your Memory was published, technology has dramatically changed how we keep track of life’s many details. Appliances and car lights turn themselves off, smartphones and computers remind us of appointments, and Google lets us search for the information that we can’t remember. Still, we grow frustrated and anxious when words won’t come, when we misplace items, or when we forget meetings, birthdays, names.

University of Michigan social workers Janet Fogler and Lynn Stern have completely updated their friendly and usable guide to memory improvement techniques. Recognizing that people worry something is wrong with them when they forget things, Fogler and Stern suggest that the antidote to worry is taking positive actions to help us remember what we want to remember. They provide readers with tools for understanding and improving memory, including sixteen helpful exercises. Simple techniques like writing information down, creating a catch word or phrase, altering something in your environment, and reviewing details in advance can put you actively in charge of retrieving information more easily.

As in previous editions, Improving Your Memory reinforces memory techniques through real-life examples. This accessible handbook also discusses how memory works; how it changes with age, stress, illness, and depression; and why people remember what they do. Many readers will see immediate improvement in their memory after reading the book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781421415703
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	11/15/2014
Edition description:	fourth edition
Pages:	168
Sales rank:	1,044,158
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Janet Fogler is a clinical social worker at the University of Michigan Medical Center's Geriatrics Center Clinics and Turner Geriatric Clinic.

Lynn Stern is a clinical social worker at the University of Michigan Medical Center's Geriatrics Center Clinics and Turner Geriatric Clinic.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

I How Memory Works

1 You Can Improve Your Memory 3

2 Understanding the Components of Memory 7

3 How We Remember 13

4 Why We Forget 23

5 Let's Review 27

II How Memory Changes as We Age

6 What Changes? What Doesn't? 35

7 Problems with Encoding 39

8 Problems with Recall 47

III Factors That Affect Memory

9 You and Your Memory: A Self-inventory 53

10 Check Your Effort and Attitude 57

11 Could Your Mood Be the Problem? 69

12 Ask Your Doctor about Health Issues 75

13 Let's Review Again 87

IV Techniques for Improving Your Memory

14 Exploring Memory Improvement Strategies 93

15 Improving Your Ability to Encode 97

16 You Don't Have to Keep Everything in Your Head 109

17 Did I or Didn't I? 117

18 Remembering More Than One Thing 121

19 Improving Your Ability to Recall 129

20 General Tips for Remembering 137

Appendix. Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias 141

Answers to the Exercises 149

Editorial Reviews

This book contains a wealth of information about how to keep your memory sharp, whether you are a young adult or a senior citizen. . . With this book you can become proactive about your memory function and buff up your brain.
—Robin Wulffson, Examiner.com

A fine guide filled with practical details any can use.
—Midwest Book Review

The finest handbook we've seen on the subject.
—AARP Magazine

A good handbook on memory improvement . . . The best way to deal with mild memory loss is the use of memory aids and a good sense of humor.
—Creative Retirement

One of the most complete memory training guides available. The examples are age-appropriate and engaging . . . Techniques range from the ever-popular 'Tips and Tricks' to more effortful techniques such as story construction and categorization. This volume has clearly emerged from considerable practical experience with conducting memory courses
—Contemporary Gerontology

From the Publisher

A good handbook on memory improvement . . . The best way to deal with mild memory loss is the use of memory aids and a good sense of humor.

Creative Retirement

The finest handbook we've seen on the subject.

AARP Magazine

A fine guide filled with practical details any can use.

Midwest Book Review

This book contains a wealth of information about how to keep your memory sharp, whether you are a young adult or a senior citizen. . . With this book you can become proactive about your memory function and buff up your brain.

Examiner.com - Robin Wulffson

One of the most complete memory training guides available. The examples are age-appropriate and engaging . . . Techniques range from the ever-popular 'Tips and Tricks' to more effortful techniques such as story construction and categorization. This volume has clearly emerged from considerable practical experience with conducting memory courses

Contemporary Gerontology