Repetition of information is helpful in keeping it active in the memory of the person with memory problems.

Example:  When reminding a person about a doctor's appointment, tell the person the morning of the appointment, then again when getting ready for the appointment, and again when leaving for the appointment.

Visual cues help the person with memory problems to understand and remember new information.

Example: When reminding a person about a friend or family member coming to visit, get out a picture of this person and talk about this person for a while shortly before this person is expected to come.

Relating information to other sources of information can help the person with memory problems prepare for a particular event.

Example: When getting ready for Thanksgiving or Christmas, get decorations out related to the holiday, talk about how this holiday was celebrated last year or when the person with memory problems was young.

Memory pages: When visiting a person with memory problems in the nursing home, bring a piece of paper with a picture of friends and relatives this person is fond of, and talk about it for some time.

Example: When it is getting close to a birthday of a relative the person with memory problems rarely sees, paste a photo on an index card and print a caption with the relative's name in dark and large letters. Talk about this person and remember the good times. 

Talk slowly and calmly to a person with memory problems.

This person needs more time to process the information.  Repeat or rephrase the information if needed but avoid baby talk and talking with a high pitch. 

Use short sentences that allow the person with memory problems to process the information while listening to it.

Pause between sentences to allow the person with memory problems to process and reconstruct the information. Allow about 5 seconds between sentences and instructions.

Position yourself in front of the person with memory problems to ensure the attention of this person.

Be positive and complement the person with memory problems if communication is successful.

- Keep reading. 
Even a person with severe memory problems maintains the ability to read.  Read a newspaper together or get magazines or other reading materials this person may be interested in.

- Talk about childhood memories.
Early memories usually remain intact among persons with memory problems.  Bring out some old photo albums and read through or talk about the people and the events in it.

- Provide a stimulating environment.
Especially persons with severe memory impairments may enjoy touching materials with different textures.  Let this person touch different sorts of fabric, some rough surfaces, such as sandpaper, and some soft textures, such as stuffed animals.

- Let the person with moderate to severe memory problems match and sort beads, pasta, or other materials that are available in the house.

- Let the person with mild to moderate memory problems arrange some flowers in vases and decorate the vase with stickers or fabric.

- Create an heirloom with the person with memory problems by assembling items from different periods of his or her life and putting them together in a pretty box or frame.

- Make a travel journal with the person with memory problems from a trip in the past that was very important to this person.

- Take day trips to local gardens, nurseries, and parks and talk about earlier trips there and enjoy the smell and sight of flowers.

- Put drawings, pictures, and messages from the person with memory impairment or his or her grandchildren on a wall specifically designed for this purpose.