Understanding the Brain to Care Better for Aging Loved Ones (Estimated reading time: 6 min)
Author: Elham SharifiGhorveh, |Cognitive Health Specialist (Research & Advisory)
As we age, both our bodies and brains go through changes, and one of the most common
concerns is about “Memory”.
We might find ourselves wondering: “Is it normal to forget things more often, like
someone’s name or why I walked into a room?”
This is a common question, especially among middle-aged adults, caregivers, or anyone
supporting an aging loved one. They worry if this is just a normal part of aging, or could
it be an early sign of cognitive decline or even dementia.
Before we jump to conclusions, it’s important to understand how memory actually
works—how it’s formed, stored, and retrieved in the brain. This knowledge helps us
provide better care and seek professional support early when needed. Let’s understand it
clearly, once and for all!
Memory is more than just recalling the past! Memory is the brain’s ability to receive,
store, and retrieve information. Every time we learn something new, experience an event,
or recall a past moment, we’re engaging our memory.
There are 10 types of memory defined by cognitive science that are generally grouped
into three main categories:
1-Sensory memory is one of the types of memory that briefly holds the information
gathered by our senses. Like a snapshot, this type of memory helps the brain process and
make sense of the world around us. Even though sensory memory lasts only a few
seconds, it plays a crucial role in how we perceive and respond to our environment.
Sensory memory helps our brain decide what to pay attention to and what to ignore. For
example, when we’re in a noisy room, sensory memory allows us to recognize when
someone calls our name so we can shift our focus toward them. By capturing these
fleeting moments, sensory memory helps us navigate and understand the constant flow of
sensory information we encounter each day.
2-Short-term memory (As its name suggests), allows us to temporarily hold specific
information for a brief period. It is not as fleeting as sensory memory, but it also doesn’t
last as long as long-term memory. Short-term memory is sometimes called primary
memory. The retention span of short-term memory is estimated to be between 15 to 30
seconds.
For instance, when you read a sentence from a book or a sequence of numbers that we
need to remember briefly, it is our short-term memory at work.
We can retain information in our short-term memory through repetition. For example, if
we need to remember a string of numbers, we might repeat them to ourselves until we
enter them somewhere. However, if someone asks us to recall those numbers about 10
minutes later, we’re likely to forget them unless they’ve been transferred to our long-term
memory.
Working memory is a type of learning-related memory that can also be classified under
short-term memory. It holds small amounts of immediate information that a person
actively uses while performing mental tasks.
3- Long-term memory is the memory we typically store our experiences in. Any
memory that we can recall after 30 seconds is generally considered long-term. These
memories are significant and can range from recognizing a familiar face at our favorite
café to remembering important details like a close friend’s birthday or our home address.
There is no known limit to how long-term memory can store information.
Memory formation involves a three-step process: encoding, storage, and retrieval.
In the following section, we will explore each stage in simple terms—using relatable,
everyday examples to help understand how our own memory works.
This is the first step in creating a memory. Our brain takes in information from the
environment—sounds, images, smells, words, or feelings—and translates it into a format
it can understand and store. Every time we focus our attention, our brain encodes
information more effectively. That’s why emotionally engaging or highly focused
experiences are easier to remember.
Everyday examples of encoding:
* If we start to repeat the phone number immediately we hear it, we’re helping our
brain encode it, and any distraction makes our brain more likely to forget it.
* At a social event, if we meet someone new and silently repeat their name to
ourselves, we are actively encoding their name and face. But if we only listen
passively, we may not remember it.
* A striking image or an exciting story sticks better in memory. If we try to learn
something while feeling joy or surprise, it tends to be stored more deeply.
* While driving and suddenly needing to pay attention to a new route, our brain
must encode the new path. Any distraction, like say by our phone, might cause us
to forget the directions later.
Once encoded, information is stored in the brain’s neural networks. Different types of
information are stored in different areas of the brain, such as the hippocampus, prefrontal
cortex, or amygdala. (though we won’t go into technical details here.)
While some memories last only minutes, like today’s grocery list, others are transferred
to long-term memory with repetition or meaningful connections.
Everyday examples of storage:
* Reviewing our day’s events before bed can help transfer them to long-term
memory.
* Repeated practice of a new learning skill, like cooking or cycling, stores that
knowledge in long-term memory.
* Looking at old photos or reminiscing with loved ones helps reinforce and stabilize
those memories.
Retrieval is the process of bringing stored information back to conscious awareness.
Sometimes this happens automatically, like when hearing a song brings back a memory,
and sometimes it requires effort, like trying to recall the name of a colleague.
+ Important note: Memory is not always accurate. Emotions, environment, and cues can
influence how we recall things, and memories may subtly change over time.
Everyday examples of retrieval:
* When we lose our keys and try to remember where we last saw them, we’re
retrieving our recent memory.
* Seeing a photo that brings back a childhood moment, our brain is retrieving it in
the moment.
* Trying to recall a topic discussed in last week’s meeting is a conscious effort to
retrieve stored information.
Now that we’re familiar with the concept of memory and how it is formed, through
encoding, storage, and retrieval, we are ready to address the first key question: How can
we tell the difference between age-related forgetfulness and early signs of dementia? A
topic we will explore in more detail in the next article.
To explore more articles on the same topics, visit our website:
https://rosehillcare.com/blog/
Understanding how memory works isn’t just for scientists—it’s a powerful tool for us
and every caregiver. When we understand how the brain processes and recalls
information, we can communicate better, reduce frustration, and support our loved ones
with confidence and empathy.
References:
Daffner, K. R. (2010). Cognitive aging and memory. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry,
71(6), e15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2657600/
Poon, L. W., & Cohen-Mansfield, J. (Eds.). (2019). Understanding memory: Memory and
aging. In Improving the Quality of Long-Term Care (pp. 1–20). National Academies
Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545136/
At Rose Hill Care at Home, we are proud to support dementia awareness and education across the GTA. As a trusted provider of professional home care services, we are committed to helping families navigate memory-related challenges with compassion, knowledge, and expert support.
Whether you need help caring for a loved one with dementia or want to understand brain health better, we’re here to help—professionally, and from the heart.
🌐 Learn more at www.rosehillcare.com
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