Foundations of Memory

12-Month Subscription

Unlimited access to:

Thousands of CE Courses
Patient Education
Home Exercise Program
And more

Subscribe Now

First Chapter Free Buy Course

Video Runtime: 25 Minutes, Learning Assessments: 16 Minutes

Speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists who work with adults in any setting within the healthcare industry often lack the understanding of the normal physiology of memory and how the pathophysiology impacts people with dementia. This course will detail the physiology of how normal memory works, including a brief review of the anatomy of memory storage. Working, short-term, and long-term memory function will be explained, with a description of what happens when those memory processes become impaired.

Meet your instructor

Jeanette E. Benigas

Jeanette E. Benigas is the owner of Safe Swallowing Diagnostics, a mobile FEES company serving eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Her extensive clinical experience has included work with adults in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, post-acute rehabilitation, long-term care, home health, and outpatient settings.…

Read full bio

Chapters & learning objectives

1. How Does Memory Work?

This chapter discusses what memory is and how information is collected to form memories for later recall. Six neurological landmarks are shown, with basic information on the location of those landmarks within the brain and how they contribute to memory function. A basic knowledge of these brain regions and how they contribute to memory is needed to understand how the memory process breaks down when a patient has dementia, which may impact the creation of a person-centered plan of care.

2. Working and Short-Term Memory

This chapter discusses the differences between working memory (sometimes called sensory memory) and short-term memory based on the work of Alan Baddeley, a psychologist and researcher known for his work on memory. Both types of memory are outlined as related to normal memory function, which should be understood as these memory functions are impaired early for people with dementia.

3. Long-Term Memory

This chapter describes long-term memory and its mechanisms. Declarative (explicit) and nondeclarative (implicit) memory are discussed, with relevant examples provided. Deficits for all components are also provided to help the learner gain a deeper appreciation for the deficits seen in the people we serve.

4. Applying Knowledge of Memory to Treatment for People With Dementia

Memory impairments can stem from damage to many different structures of the brain, which is why there are different diagnoses under the dementia umbrella. This chapter discusses some simple pathophysiology as it relates to Alzheimer's dementia specifically, with rules, guidelines, and strategies for the provision of memory treatment. Understanding these ideas is particularly important for sound memory treatment.

More courses in this series

How to Incorporate Montessori for Aging & Dementia into Long-Term Care

Jennifer Brush