A little forgetfulness is a normal part of aging, as irritating as it can be. For seniors who like to get out and about by volunteering, taking water aerobics classes, or joining a local club or special interest group, it can be hard to remember all of the names of every new person they meet! But, forgetting a name can lead to feelings of embarrassment or feelings of being rude - something all seniors would like to avoid. So, how can your elderly loved one more easily remember the names of the people they meet?
Here are just a few simple tips and tricks for remembering names that you and your senior loved one can use to help avoid those embarrassing moments!
Repeat the Name
When you learn the name of someone new, repeat the name in your head and out loud. After they introduce themselves, make it a point to use their name by saying something like, “It’s nice to meet you, Alice.” If you can find a way to politely repeat their name more than once, you will also be doing yourself a favor by cementing the name into your mind.
Think of a Rhyme
Mnemonic devices like rhymes or alliteration can help us to remember any word or phrase, including someone’s name. Just think of how many commercial jingles you remember after only hearing them once or twice! Make a mnemonic device for a person’s name as soon as you meet them to ensure that you will remember their name next time you see them. Your word play can be silly such as “Anna banana” or “Fred the redhead” or it can help you remember other things about them like “Tina from tai chi” or “Linda the librarian.”
Write it Down
Writing something down is a good way to burn it into your memory, and this works for names, too. When you are in a situation where you are meeting many new people, such as the first day of an art class, for example, don’t hesitate to write down names on a notecard. That way, before you attend art class next week, you can look at your notecard to do a quick review of all of the new names.
Remember, everyone forgets a new name from time to time, so be sure to forgive yourself when it happens to you. If you must ask a person to give their name again, don’t feel embarrassed, chances are they are appreciative of the fact that you are interested in getting to know them. Another important thing to note: if your senior loved one seems to be forgetting more than just names and on an increasingly frequent basis, have them evaluated by their physician. While
not all forgetfulness is related to Alzheimer's, it can be, and early detection is very important.
