Seven Steps to Managing Your Memory

Andrew E. Budson, MD, majored in chemistry and philosophy at Haverford College before receiving his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. Dr. Budson is Professor of Neurology at Boston University, Lecturer in Neurology at Harvard Medical School, and Chief of Cognitive & Behavioral Neurology at the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System. His career combines education, research, and clinical care to help those with memory disorders. Maureen K. O'Connor, PsyD, was educated at Ithaca College, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. O'Connor is Assistant Professor of Neurology at Boston University, Director of Neuropsychology at the Bedford Veterans Affairs Hospital, and Member at Large of the National Academy of Neuropsychology. Her award-winning research, education, and clinical care focuses on patients with memory disorders.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements
How to Use this Book
About the Stories
Introduction

Step 1: Learn What is Normal Memory

Chapter 1: Which Memory Errors can Happen to Anyone of Any Age?
Chapter 2: How Does Memory Change in Normal Aging?

Step 2: Determine if Your Memory is Normal

Chapter 3: What Kinds of Memory Problems are not Normal?
Chapter 4: What Should the Doctor do to Evaluate My Memory?
Chapter 5: When are Special Tests and Evaluations Needed?

Step 3: Understand Your Memory Loss

Chapter 6: Will My Memory Get Better? Which Causes of Memory Loss are Reversible?
Chapter 7: What are Dementia, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Subjective Cognitive Decline?
Chapter 8: What is Alzheimer's Disease?
Chapter 9: What is Vascular Dementia?
Chapter 10: What Else Could It Be? What are Other Brain Disorders of Aging Affecting Thinking and Memory?

Step 4: Treat Your Memory Loss

Chapter 11: Which Medications Can Help Memory Loss and Alzheimer's Disease?
Chapter 12: I'm Feeling A Bit Anxious and Depressed by My Memory Loss or My Diagnosis. What Should I Do About These Feelings?

Step 5: Modify Your Lifestyle

Chapter 13: What Foods Should I Eat or Avoid to Help My Memory?
Chapter 14: Can Physical Activity and Exercise Help My Memory?

Step 6: Strengthen Your Memory

Chapter 15: What Can I Do to Strengthen My Memory?
Chapter 16: What Strategies Can I Use to Help My Memory?
Chapter 17: Which Memory Aids are Helpful?

Step 7: Plan Your Future

Chapter 18: Will Changes In My Memory Change My Life?
Chapter 19: Where Do I Go From Here?

Glossary
Further Reading
About the Authors
Index