Episode 5: Elderspeak

Memory loss makes people particularly vulnerable to scams, fraud and other dishonest behaviour. In this episode, Sonia and I are joined by a very special guest, Marc Cananur (Hunted, and BBC Morning Live). Marc is a leading expert in scams and fraud. He is also an ambassador for Dementia UK and has parents living with dementia. Together, we consider the extra vulnerability faced by people with memory loss - how they can be exploited by professional fraudsters and even sometimes by people closer to home. As always, we discuss the underlying science and provide many tips for protecting not only our loved ones, but also ourselves. 

What do you do when someone tells the same story over and over again, and why does it happen? This episode discusses the tendency for repetition in people with memory loss, how it can get difficult, but also why it can be important and helpful. As always, we explore the underlying neuroscience and finish with concrete tips on how to react in a way that is positive and may even boost remembering.  

Why is it that a person with dementia-related memory loss can still seem to be affected by something that they can't remember? Jenny asks whether there is any point in taking her sister out for a nice day, if her sister doesn't remember anything about what she's done? In this episode, we explain why the effects of experiences (positive and negative) can linger in someone, even when they are unable to recollect or describe that event. We end with some simple tips for recognising the effects of unconscious memories and using it to our advantage.  

Episode 6 of Mempathy is all about the power of music. Our listener (who is supporting his sister with dementia) asks, “What is it about music that makes it so powerful? And do you have any tips on how to capitalize on it?” And of course, yes, we do! We discuss the science behind music and memory, focussing particularly on why it is that music from teenage years is so evocative. As always, we look at evidence-based tips for putting this into practice – capturing and curating the songs that really stimulate memory and nostalgia. An important take-home message is that it is never too early and never too late.

The way we speak to people with memory loss really matters - not just what we say, but how we say it.  In this episode Sonia and Catherine explore the concept of "elderspeak". Research shows that most of us do it, without even realising it. We discuss how to recognise it, why it matters, and what we can do to reduce it. 

How do we know when memory loss is something to be concerned about? If you spot the signs in yourself or someone you care about, what should you do? In this episode, Sonia and Catherine discuss their own experiences with their mums, and then look more practically at how to recognise signs of dementia and what steps to take. 

People with memory loss can sometimes sound very sure about something that you know can't be true, for example being convinced that a relative hasn't visited recently, or simply insisting on something having happened that can't have done. In this episode we look at different examples of when this happens, and then explore the memory mechanisms that underlie the issue. As always we offer some evidence-based suggestions for how to respond so that everyone wins. 

In this episode we discuss why talking about the future can create anxiety in people with dementia-related memory loss, and share tips on how to manage it. Sonia asks: "My sister is about to move house and we don't know how to speak to my step-mum about it because she keeps getting muddled and anxious." 

The first Mempathy episode deals with sleep disruption in people with dementia-related memory loss. Our question from the public was “My friend’s mum has dementia and seems to have no concept of what time of day it is. She is becoming nocturnal, sometimes goes to bed at 6am etc. This causes lots of problems!” In this episode, Professor Catherine Loveday and Sonia Beldom speak about their own experiences of managing nocturnal mums. They then discuss the science underlying sleep, which explains why these problems happen (and in fact is helpful for any of us who may struggle with sleep sometimes). Catherine offers some tried and tested evidence-based tips for getting things back on track. 

A second trailer for Mempathy, with short clips from upcoming episodes.