Memory.pngA stroke can affect the way your brain organises and stores information which can affect your memory and thinking skills. This can affect your ability to:​

  • Concentrate on conversation, reading and watching TV​
  • Focus on more than one thing at a time​
  • Process information ​
  • Recall recent or distant memories​
  • Start, plan and organise a task​
  • Keep track of the situation or own behaviour (self-monitoring)​
  • Interpret, understand and adapt to the environment 

Cognition is the term used to describe the mental processes that take place in the brain, including thinking, attention, language, learning, memory and perception. 

Cognition can be assessed by a stroke or neurological specialist occupational therapist or psychologist. If you are concerned about your thinking skills and feel this would be beneficial, you can ask your GP or your community stroke team for advice. 

Please be aware that not all areas have access to community psychology services so this option may not be possible.

  • Write things down - use or a calendar or diary to keep track of appointments
  • Write a to do list as a reminder​
  • Set alarms and reminders in your phone
  • Do one thing at a time​
  • Reduce distractions - turn off the TV​
  • Visual prompts - have medication where you can see it​
  • Routine - with tasks such as getting washed and dressed, or taking medication at the same time each day, such as at breakfast.  ​

  • The Stroke Association provide several videos that can help with strategies for dealing with problems with memory or thinking skills and hear others experiences of living with these difficulties. They also provide a helpful downloadable guide which can help you understand and gain support for you family and friends.  
  • Headway is a national charitable organisation which supports people after brain injury. Stroke is described as an acquired brain injury. Headway has produced a number of e-booklets and factsheets via their online Information library.
  • Different Strokes is a UK stroke charity that works with younger stroke survivors. Their website also contains links for further information and advice regarding thinking skills.
  • The Stroke 4 Carers website also has useful resources including videos aimed specifically for carers. This information has been devised for Scotland and therefore some of the advice regarding benefits etc may not be relevant for England and Wales. Look at the section 3 Practical advice and tips for carers.

Healthcare Services

  • Airedale: You can access therapy services for advice and support by seeking a referral to either the Neuro Outpatient team (PT/OT) or the Community Rehabilitation Team via your GP.
  • Bradford: You can access therapy services for advice and support by seeking a referral to the community stroke therapy team via your GP.
  • Calderdale If you are no longer involved with a therapy team you can re-refer yourself to our Community Therapy Team through Gateway to Care. You can do this by calling 01422 393000 or emailing gatewaytocare@calderdale.gov.uk. Your GP is also able to refer you.
  • Kirklees: People can self-refer to the Community Neuro Rehab Team on0300 304 5555 or via the Locala website. You can call Community Rehabilitation to discuss whether a new referral is appropriate on 0303 330 9456.  
  • Leeds: People can self-refer to the Community Neuro Rehab Team on 0113 8555082
  • Wakefield: Discuss whether a referral to MY Therapy would be beneficial on 01977 747471
  • Harrogate: Referral for triage to neuro therapy via GP

Groups

There may be groups and clubs available in your local community which support using thinking skills. These may be related to hobbies, crafts or other activities which may be of interest to you.

Apps

A range of apps are available which can help develop thinking skills. A few examples are below, but this is not an exhaustive list.

Some apps may cost money to buy them or have hidden costs even when advertised as free. For example, signing up to a free trial for a few weeks and then being charged after the trial has finished, or additional costs to access other parts of the app. If you are unsure, please seek advice.

If you are already under the care of your local community stroke team, you can ask them more about this topic at your next visit.

Please contact your local Community Stroke Team if ongoing referrals are required and for advice on where to access support.

The below resources may also be of interest:

There are numerous assessment tools available to screen for cognitive and perceptual problems. The following website lists many of those available - Strokengine

Audio Visual Resources