The brain area that houses implicit memory is usually the last to be affected by Alzheimer’s disease, so patients are often able to read or sing until the most advanced form of the disease1.
Long-term memory is divided into two types: explicit and implicit2.
- Explicit memory is made up of two types of sub-memory: semantic memory, which is summarized by theoretical knowledge of life, and episodic memory, which groups together concrete memories of things experienced3, 4.
- Implicit memory is made up of three types of sub-memory: conditioned emotional memory, which can be summed up as emotional reflexes in response to certain events; priming memory, which enables us to find the logical sequence of something we’ve started and know (music, drawing, slogan); and finally, procedural memory, which groups together skills developed and eventually “acquired” through repeated performance (riding a bike, reading, walking)3, 4.
To stimulate the procedural memory of your residents, here are a few simple ideas for activities you can carry out with them. Great moments guaranteed!
- Recite basic, well-known religious prayers or hymns;
- Hand out books or newspapers;
- Have them complete well-known slogans or proverbs;
- Offer coloring sessions.
Bibliographical sources
1 Sluimer JD, van der Flier WM, Karas GB, van Schijndel R, Barnes J, Boyes RG, Cover KS, Olabarriaga SD, Fox NC, Scheltens P, Vrenken H, Barkhof F. (2009). Accelerating regional atrophy rates in the progression from normal aging to Alzheimer’s disease. doi: 10.1007/s00330-009-1512-5.
2 Squire LR (2004). Memory systems of the brain: A brief history and current perspective. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. doi: 10.1016/j.nlm.2004.06.005.
3 Squire LR, Dede AJO (2015). Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a021667.
4 France Alzheimer et maladie apparentées (2021). La mémoire à long terme et la mémoire à court terme.