The key idea to remember is that we have to practice the skill that we want to improve.
So, how do we practice remembering? The question we need to ask is, what are we having trouble remembering?
There are many things that could be challenging, such as:
Remembering names, dates, and other facts we should already know
Learning new information or procedures
Thinking of the specific word we want to use ("tip-of-the-tongue" problem)
Remembering where we put things.
Doing what we plan to do.
Remembering what we did earlier in the day or week.
Recalling what we've discussed or read.
Once we know which kind of memory is a problem, then we need to find ways to practice that kind of memory.
Step one is to use a strategy to help us encode the information in our memory and retrieve it when we need it.
Here are some strategies:
Write it down (perhaps over and over).
Repeat it.
Associate it with something we already know.
Make a mental picture/visualization.
Step two is to practice remembering the sorts of information or activities we want to remember. We can make flashcards and study them. We can play word games or do word retrieval therapy exercises. We can break things down and learn them step-by-step.
If you try to improve your memory or a loved one's memory, and you don't see any improvement after a couple of weeks, ask your doctor for a referral to a speech-language pathologist. There may be an additional problem, such as impaired attention, or we may need to use specialized therapy techniques.
It's not always possible to improve memory, but I've found that if people are willing to do the work, they generally see good improvement.
Check out my website for more tips and resources: https://eatspeakthink.com/find-helpful-resources-on-est/#therapy-think