Is it normal to have some memory loss after a right pca territory…

My father is 66 and had a stroke (right pca territory ischaemic) about 7 weeks ago. Since his stroke has happened we have noticed that his memory lapses every now and then which would happen normally prior to his stroke but it's happening more often. He also gets frustrated when he does forget some things and I can tell his frustrations is because it's something he's always known but has forgotten it this time around e.g. direction of getting somewhere he's gone in the past. He has his check up with the stroke unit at our local hospital in about 5 weeks, is this something that he needs to see his GP about sooner than this check up?

Hello Sofia,

Thanks for reaching out on EnableMe. We are sorry to hear about your father’s stroke.

Memory changes following a stroke can be common and it is normal to feel frustrated about these changes. You can read more about life after stroke on our fact sheets here, particularly the thinking and perception fact sheet.

If the changes are causing significant concern for you and your father, then you can go back to your father’s GP before your follow up appointment at the stroke unit. Is your father accessing any rehab at the moment? If not, the GP can refer your father to a local community rehabilitation program or private rehab.

An occupational therapist can conduct an assessment to see if practical strategies would be beneficial, and work with your father to implement these strategies. A clinical psychologist or neuropsychologist may be helpful for your father to talk about the frustration he’s experiencing and identify the triggers for frustration. The psychologist can also talk with you around how best to support your father. You can find an OT in your local area by searching here. The find-a-psychologist service here allows you to search by issue – under general health you can choose ‘memory problems’ and your location.

Please feel free to contact StrokeLine on 1800 787 653, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, if you would like to talk more about this.

Best wishes,
Joanna and Siobhan (StrokeLine)

Hi Sophia,

Here are some comments from the Facebook community too:

Glenys - I have memory impairment (diagnosed through neuropsychological testing). Despite everything I’ve tried, it persists. I’ve also lost my ability to visualise - my mind’s eye - and I have no episodic memories at all. It’s been 2.5 years since my stroke. Sometimes things get better for people, sometimes they don’t.

Alison - Memory issues are common after stroke, especially so soon. I had a very similar stroke to your dad and have had memory issues too. I’m 48 and had my stroke more than 2 years ago. I find writing things down to be helpful especially when it’s a sequence of events to be remembered (like directions). Numbers like phone numbers can be hard to remember as well. Once you understand your limitations you can work out good strategies to work around them. At first you don’t want to believe you have limitations but once you acknowledge them you can move beyond them very successfully. All the best to your dad

Rene - Hi there. The right PCA supplies the right mesial temporal lobe, which is really important for visualspatial memory. So that would explain the memory difficulties. Further to Jacqui's advice, at Monash Uni we run a 6-week memory rehabilitation program for stroke survivors. Feel free to get in touch for more info.

Lee - Dad has suffered an acquired brain injury, and I have too. I cannot retain memory of numbers, and it doesn't matter what they are, house numbers, weights and measures, the list for using numbers in our daily lives is endless and I can't remember any of them. I can no longer touch type or remember lots of spelling. Post stroke are similar but different for everyone. But remember. Dad's brain is working very hard every day, even just to stay upright and he will feel exhausted some days and tire easily most days.

Ebonnie - That i know how he feels after a stroke my memory hasn't been that well, so best way I can say is to read some books as that so far has improved a part of my memory since my stroke

Sarah - An Occupational Therapist can help him with memory

Jacqui - Yes as Sarah says- if he hasn’t already been referred ask GP to refer to OT or neuropsychologist for cognitive assessment from that we can ascertain areas that may have been effected by the stroke and tailor cognitive strategies appropriately. Good luck!

Janet - I lost all the maps in my head, after my stroke 4 years ago. Was hard to navigate. They all slowly returned (or I was able to build new ones) after about 10 months.

Pip - Sofia, I know this may seem frustrating however your dads brain has gone through a terrible shock and is still under trying to get into the mode of his new normality.
Seven weeks is far too early to expect him to have his brain settled. His memory may never come back to perfect and that’s okay because as Alison said you do learn new strategies to resolve these issues. Give him time be patient and don’t make too much of an issue about it yet. X hugs to your dad he is still working himself out too! X

Jenny - This is how we looked at it. Stroke is a huge stress on the brain and body. Stress affects memory so try not to worry too much yet.

Rob - Since my stroke 2 years ago my short term memory has suffered. I find typing out to do lists, etc, has helped a lot.