Prospective Memory refers to the ability to remember to do things in the future in order to carry out intended action plan. The Prospective Memory process includes:
- Remembering the intention to carry out a particular plan.
- Remembering the plan of action and what needs to be achieved.
- Being able to initiate the plan at the correct time.
Essentially, the person has to ‘remember to remember’. The ability to carry out planned tasks is dependent on our ability to cue ourselves into a particular behaviour:
- At the correct time e.g. take medication, make the dinner, watch a favourite T.V. programme, meet a friend for an arranged coffee.
- When an event occurs e.g. remember to ask how an interview went when your friend telephones you.
- Upon completion of one stage of a task, remembering to follow it up with the next stage e.g. remembering to put a cheque in the post once you have written it.
Impairment of Prospective Memory may affect the person’s health, safety and welfare (e.g. not remembering to take medication, attend appointments, get the brakes on the car fixed, switch off the cooker). It can also adversely affect the person’s ability to effectively manage Activities of Daily Living (e.g. forgetting to brush teeth, pay bills, get shopping, pick up children from school). It can have a significant, negative impact on social functioning and the ability to maintain employment or education.