What do Alzheimer's patients tend to retain the longest?

Alzheimer's patients typically retain skills acquired over a lifetime the longest due to the nature of the disease's progression and its effect on memory. This retention of long-term memories, particularly those related to well-practiced activities such as walking, talking, or even playing a musical instrument, occurs because these skills are stored in different areas of the brain compared to recent memories. Long-term memories are often more resilient and less susceptible to the types of cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease.

In contrast, recent memories and short-term memory are affected more significantly as the disease advances, leading to difficulties in recalling new information or events that have occurred recently. Learning new skills is also challenging for Alzheimer's patients, as cognitive functions related to learning and memory are impaired. This distinction emphasizes the importance of engaging Alzheimer's patients in activities that utilize their retained skills, as it can improve their quality of life and promote a sense of accomplishment.