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Robert Sapolsky on long term memory: short term memory does not store information. (See a phone #. Make the call. Forget the number.)
Long term memory is for "important" stuff. It "goes over a neural 'hump' " and is stored for retrieval.
An expert plumber had severe dementia, but given a broken fixture, he set about repairing it as he'd done for 40 years. Is there "muscle memory" too?
So, moving makes EVERYTHING short term memory, which has already failed. The loved one cannot use his old long term memory road map for the new territory, and his short term memory doesn't work anymore.
I once read about a care facility which created a "home" for the aged residents using all 1950s furniture and appliances for their comfort.
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@shmerdloff
Thanks. Very helpful.
There's no easy answer to the question: Should we move or not? It's too stressful for us to even think about it so we're just going to stay in our house for as long as we can.
My husband doesn't care to socialize because he can't. (He is in a lot of pain due to his back, is immobile, tires easily, and has difficulty talking.) He would be even more isolated and confused were we to move him to a care home. (He gets easily confused at home because we are still trying to spend weekends at the coast, where I go to recharge.)
George's Wife