Dementia: bookshelf analogy

It can be difficult to understand how your loved one’s mind works when under the influence of dementia. The bookcase example may help.

Imagine your brain is a bookcase. Your earliest memories are at the bottom, while your most recent memories are at the top.  Your bookcase contains all of the facts you know, the memories you have and the skills you’ve acquired throughout your life.

Now imagine dementia is like a storm that hits the bookshelf and rocks it back and forth.

When the bookcase rocks, the top moves more than the bottom, so the newest memories fall off first, while childhood memories which are on the bottom of the bookcase are most likely to stay intact.

When the storm ends, the person may try to put the books on the shelves but the books on the top shelves are particularly hard to reach and some of those memories may never be replaced.

Additionally, the memories of things that have happened are rocked off the bookshelf very readily. However, memories of the way these events made the person feel are not so easily moved. This is why feelings and sensations (taste, smell, sound/music) are an important way of bringing back memories for a person living with dementia.

For more information or if you wish to discuss care for your loved one please email care@greensleeves.org.uk