Changes to new learning and memory ability are also commonly experienced following a brain tumour.
The severity of learning or memory loss will depend on the type and location of tumour and the treatment received. Damage to the brain from the tumour’s location and/or resection can impact the regions and pathways that support memory. Additionally, in the process of targeting cancer cells, treatments can also damage these regions and pathways.
There are also some other factors that can help explain your loved one’s learning and memory loss. They may be easily distracted or find it difficult to stay focused on a task or conversation, meaning that the information never got into memory in the first place.
This might seem as though they are not trying to listen or uninterested. However, difficulties with attention or concentration can be one of the side effects of brain cancer and treatment. This then impacts their ability to remember information because the information didn’t go into their memory in the first place.
Day to day difficulties with learning and memory loss
New learning and memory loss can present for everyday functioning in different ways. The individual with brain cancer may forget important dates, details of conversations, the names of items or people, appointments, or details of information from appointments.
This can sometimes be confusing or frustrating to people with brain tumours and their loved ones because they struggle with memory for recent information, but older, historical, memories often remain.
Other difficulties that result from learning and memory loss could be:
- Losing track in conversations
- Difficulty finding words when speaking
- Getting lost on the way to somewhere familiar
- Finding it difficult to follow along when reading books or sitting through a movie
To learn about how learning and memory may be affected by a brain tumour, download this Fact Sheet.
Improvements: What can you/your loved one expect?
There may be some improvement once the effects of treatment have passed (typically one year or more after treatment has concluded). However, often the impact to learning and memory will be long term.
To date, the strongest evidence-based ways to help people with learning and memory loss are strategies to compensate for their difficulties. As a carer, it is important to give your loved one independence while still supporting them with their memory. While strategies can be effective, some may not fit for everyone, so it can be helpful to ask your loved one how you can support them and which strategies they would like to use.
Strategies for reducing learning and memory loss impacts
Some strategies that have proven effective at reducing the impact of learning and memory loss are:
- Encouraging the use of diaries/notepads/post it notes to write information down
- Use noticeboards/calendars/wall planners placed in easy to view places in the home, with important information about family events, appointments etc.
- Break tasks into smaller steps so there is not so much information to remember
- Speak a bit slower, in short and simple sentences
- Routine helps to provide prompts for memory, try to have a dedicated spot to keep items that tend to go missing (e.g., phone, keys, wallet, glasses).
- Ask your loved one if they want you to take notes/ask questions at appointments
- Memory is impacted by fatigue. Where possible, try to schedule appointments and events at times when your loved one is most alert and able to concentrate. Often this will be mid mornings, however the best time of day can change from person to person.
- Understanding that their learning and memory has changed will be beneficial for your own adjustment at this time because, while strategies can help to reduce the impact of memory loss, it is helpful to expect that there will be some forgetting