Forgetting words – is helping, helping? Or is it hindering?

This is probably a hard one to comment on for most of us. I know there are times when I am trying to tell my husband something and I lose the word, or the direction I was heading in. I often sit and shake my head and say that I have no idea what the word was. The question is, if I find myself not able to find the word is it OK for my husband to “help” by trying to guess what I am saying? Or, would I prefer he leaves me to figure it out for myself?

I suppose it depends on the situation in which I find myself unable to communicate effectively. The main thing to remember, I think is that it depends upon whether the particular instance is time critical. In other words, if it is important for me to tell my husband something and I can’t dredge the words or information up from my brain, then I may need help. Trying to bring forward a memory or a word becomes more difficult under stress. If I have the time to step back and put things aside for a while and take the pressure off, then odds are still reasonably good that I will come up with the answer eventually.

It’s not just words that I forget though. Almost every night I have to ask if we are watching something on TV. I am usually told that we are and that it is series we have been watching for a few weeks. I know from my work with people with brain injuries that memory is often better when trying to recall something that has an emotional overlay. If it has importance. For example, a person with memory issues – whatever the cause – may not remember what they had for dinner, but may remember more important things more readily.

We are all individuals in our needs, so there is certainly a difficulty in the question, “Is helping, helping? Or is it hindering?” It very much depends on the situation and the individual’s ability to recall the things they need when needed.

Below is a podcast I have done on the topic, if you would like to have a listen. Please remember to like and follow on social media and help me reach out to as many people as possible whose lives are affected by Parkinson’s.