Health Management for Older Adults III - Normal Aging Changes to Memory -- Cues

< i > Normal Aging Changes to Memory -- Cues

So far, I've discussed L for learning and A for attention. The C in LACK represents cues. Cues are needed for memory, even more so as we get older.

Cues can be very powerful memory aids. If you pick up a photograph of a wedding or a canoe trip or a museum in France, the picture begins to cue memories, allowing us to recall more and more stored memories as each remembered piece of information cues the next memory.

Smells and songs can be compelling memory cues for events that you thought were long forgotten.

At the same time, it may be difficult to recall information without cues as we get older, even when we know that we know it!