When you visit your loved one and he or she doesn't seem to remember that you were just there, don't take it to heart. There is new research that indicates that your visits actually do make a difference to your loved one.
Research has shown that brief moments of happiness have long-range impact on quality of life for patients with certain types of dementia.
It is the brain's hippocampus that imprints new information into memory. This is the area of the brain that is usually damaged in dementia patients. That is why old friends are remembered, long ago memories are recalled, but the loved one won't remember someone who just visited, perhaps, even as recently as an hour ago. Long-term memories are still accessible, but new memories can't be processed.
Take heart, though, because recent research does show that your visit makes a big difference.
US researchers at the University of Iowa explored this question with a two-part experiment:
In part one, a group of patients (all with hippocampus damage) were shown sad film clips. These clips produced strong reactions, bringing some of the patients to tears.
Within 30 minutes of the last clip, all the patients had forgotten they'd watched the clips.
However, the researchers noted that the viewers' were noticably impacted and sadder for periods of time lasting beyond their memories of having seen the sad films.
Next, the researchers showed the same audience, funny or inspiring film clips. Although the audience could not recall having seen the film clips shortly thereafter, the good feelings stayed with them long after.
In a news report about the study, Justin Feinstein, leader of the UI team, offered this advice for caretakers: "Telling them a simple joke, calling them up on the phone, giving them a visit, could actually have these enormous positive benefits."
So, take heart in the evidence--you do make a difference. Keeping this in mind when you visit or call your loved one, just may make your day as well.
Sources:
"Sustained Experience of Emotion after Loss of Memory in Patients with Amnesia" Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Published online ahead of print 4/5/10, pnas.org
"Emotions Outlast the Memories That Drive Them" Deborah Franklin, National Public Radio, 4/13/10, npr.org
HSI article published online by Agora Press.