What Next

In the last year I have been increasingly aware that things are not good with my short-term memory. Constantly forgetting to do things I said I would do was highlighting it. Leaving things out because as soon as I’m distracted I forget what I was doing. It was getting bad and I was ignoring it.

I was asked if I’d take part in a study of movement around the home. This was a Parkinson’s based study so naturally I agreed. Part of the initial questions of the trial was a cognitive test. I failed the memory section. I was advised to mention it to my GP. It was strange I actually had an appointment that afternoon for an unrelated problem. I brought the subject up with my GP and before I’d finished explaining she had the cognitive test printed out. Yes I failed that one too. I’ll refer you she said and here’s a blood test to rule out any other anomalies.

A few weeks later I had an appointment through with the mental health unit for the elderly!! It felt wrong but I was happy it was being investigated. In the mean time my catch up with my neurologist was coming up.

There I was waiting to see my neurologist. Where had that year gone!? I had a whole list in my phone to ask him including memory problems. He asked loads of questions about my memory. His conclusion, I was developing Lewy body as a result of the Parkinson’s. His advice was get my affairs in order. Get power of attorney in place. Stay active with exercises and keep socializing and do as much mental stimulation as possible. He then said I’ll see you in a year.

Next came my appointment for the mental health unit for the elderly. Hang on a mo I don’t fit the criteria.  I saw this guy who asked some really strange questions, like can I cook for myself and can I dress myself and do I do drugs! He is obviously used to some crazy OAP’s and it seems to have rubbed off on him.  He said he wants me to have a head CT scan.  I have the scan on the 5th of August.  My research tells me a CT scan will show nothing except that I have a head.

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Memory

Apps that make life easier with PD and Memory

Many of us with Parkinson’s, the executive functions of our brain do not work very well. The ability to remember things or plan are greatly reduced. Simple things such as remembering to take medications or appointments can be a challenge. Birthdays anniversaries can no longer be left to our memories. What we need is an aid which can do all this work for us. There are several things we can do:-

Traditional methods, Paper Calendar, Paper notices, shopping list, to do lists, etc

Other memory aides are, Sticky notes, Fixed notes for regular reminders, Medication boxes, Colour coding such as keys draws etc.

 Electronic aides such as, Mobile phones, tablets, computers. To these can be added apps such as, To do apps, Calendars, Timers, Medication managers, Birthday reminders, Car finders, Contacts list.



It is individual which method suites each individual. I prefer the electronic methods as everything can be on my phone and with me all the time.


I have spent many an hour testing out several apps for their suitability for me. I think now I have settled on what I consider the best for anyone with PD that needs a little assistance with memory and information handling. I thought I would share these with you and leave you to try these apps for yourselves.


The following are the apps I have adopted after trying many alternatives


At number one is Wunderlist This is a versatile organiser app that can be used to organise or store information in any way you choose to configure it. Lists tasks can be shared with others and a reminder can be made to appear in your calendar. 


This is one of the only free organiser that comes with sub tasks and notes to each task. It is easy to use and can be installed on all your devices with versions for iOS, Android, Windows. Wunderlist was acquired by Microsoft and they have now released an organiser app called Microsoft To-Do This is almost identical to Wunderlist but has a fresher style.


Number two is Meditisafe This is a medical app that stores all your medications and quantities, it reminds you to take your medication as well as when you need to put in a prescription. It has a diary for doctors hospital appointments. A measurements section for blood pressure, weight, etc. once setup this app is really useful and the best in class. It is also cross platform.


At number three is B’day This is a stand alone birthdays app that will remind you of those birthdays you need to remember. Its drawback is that it is only available on iOS Apple. For Android I would recommend aCalendar This is a calendar with birthday reminder built in.


At number 4 is Asana This is a project/task management system that can track actions, give reminders and generally track a project from start to finish. The good thing is the basic version is free. At number 5 is Mindly This is great! If you are full of ideas or planning an event or just wont order in your life Mindly will do it. It is very different to all other organisers but once you get into it you will wonder how you managed without it. 

			

		
	
	

					
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