Living Without Memory: Major Neurocognitive Disorder

George and Val have been married for 47 years, but George can't remember. The results of a viral infection caused George's brain to become inflamed, a condition called encephalitis that frequently causes severe memory loss. Since his illness, George has developed a passion for classical music.

It'll be okay, a little bit off center but it's fine.

Unlike people suffering dementia or Alzheimer's, George's memory disappeared almost overnight.

I can't even remember what it's like to remember.

We went with George and Val to one of their favorite places. They've been coming here since they were teenagers, but George can't remember. Val's hoping this visit will jog old memories or even create new memories of being here today.

Well, I don't remember life before. I've always said to you, as I've said to a lot of people, I'm not going to wake up on the 1st of January, 2004, and say, oh, look I'm back . Look at this, Val. Wouldn't it be nice if for just a short time, I could have that ability back, just to compare.

Ahh, but you'd want it all the time because it's so good, isn't it?

At least I would know.

Yeah, and then you wouldn't mind if it were taken away from you again. Is that what you're saying?

Well, possibly, possibly.

How many years have you been married?

47 in October-- 47 years. Childhood sweethearts, weren't we?

Yeah, if you say so. I'm sure we were, yes.

We must have been.

I'm sure we were, yes.

George and Val are excited that some technical help, developed especially for people just like George , is available. They're applying for a special pager that will help remind him of the everyday things he needs to do.

People can use the pager to be reminded about almost anything. Perhaps the most common message would be to do with taking medication. But it could be reminding for appointments as one offs. Or it could be regular things like preparing for meals. With things like diaries and notebooks, they have the information, but they don't beep, or they don't jump at you and say, do this now. So often people need an active prompt.

And again things like the electronic organizers, the palms, and those sorts of things, can do those things. But again, they're often sort of, slightly off-putting-- a bit complicated to learn how to use. So this sort of has the advantage of being very simple to get your head around to understand how to operate it.

George and Val are working out exactly what they want the pager to remind George to do everyday.

When to buy the toiletries.

Change in underwear, change in socks, put me shoes on before I go out. To remind me to take me slippers off and put me shoes on.

What are your hopes for the pager? I mean, what do you hope that it could give you?

Well, part taking the pressure off of Val and of course, helping me. Helping put the bit in that isn't there-- the memory bit that isn't there.

It's quite emotional really. Well, it could be such a relief, and it would open up a whole new world. It would give him back some of how, I know how, he was. I think a lot of the trouble is when you're very close to somebody, you feel sorry for them. This is the trouble. I feel so sorry for him for the things that he's lost or can't do. So if it gave him back just a small amount of independence-- I'm quite excited. Yeah.