NBCOT Occupational Therapy Certification Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Focusing on short-term memory is critical when training caregivers of individuals with early-stage dementia because this cognitive function is often one of the first areas affected by the disease. Individuals with early-stage dementia frequently struggle with retaining new information or recalling recent events, which can significantly impact their daily routines, safety, and ability to communicate effectively.

By emphasizing strategies to support and enhance short-term memory, caregivers can learn techniques that help individuals with dementia remember important information such as daily schedules, medication times, and familiar faces. This can include the use of memory aids, consistent routines, and prompts that help cue the person with dementia, facilitating smoother interactions and enhancing their quality of life.

While social skills, fine and gross motor skills, and dressing skills are all important aspects of occupational therapy, they may not be as immediately crucial to address as short-term memory in the context of early-stage dementia. If caregivers are equipped with strategies to manage memory deficits, they can better support the individual and adapt their care approaches, leading to improved overall outcomes.