Remember our recent article Home Organization Hacks for Seniors? It drew a lot of interest — and no wonder. After all, who hasn’t spent ten minutes searching for their glasses, only to discover they’ve been perched on top of your head the whole time?
So today, let’s take it one step further. Instead of just organizing our homes, let’s talk about organizing our memory cues — the little tricks, tools, and habits that help us keep track of things in everyday life. Because when your memory has a safety net, life feels a lot smoother (and a lot less frustrating).
Why Memory Slips Happen (And Why It’s Not Just You)
Here’s something worth remembering: small forgetful moments are completely normal. Everyone, at every age, loses track of where they set their phone or whether they fed the cat already.
As we get older, though, these little lapses tend to happen more often. But that doesn’t mean your memory isn’t working — it just means your brain might appreciate a few extra cues, the same way your knees might appreciate a sturdy handrail.
And here’s some good news: research shows that the brain is like a muscle. With support, practice, and a few clever tricks, it stays strong.
Think of memory aids as giving your brain a set of helpful “signposts” along the way. And the best part? There are plenty of simple, tried-and-true tricks you can use right now. Here are some of the most popular (and easiest) ones to get you started.
The Power of Labels: Words That Work
If you’ve ever opened three nearly identical drawers hunting for batteries, labels may be your new best friend.
Big, Bold Labels: Use large-print labels on bins, drawers, and cabinets. “Scissors,” “Lightbulbs,” “First Aid” — no guessing required.
Picture Labels: For extra support, add a photo or simple drawing. A flashlight image taped to your emergency bin might be easier than words.
Trial Stickers: Use removable labels if you’re testing out a new “home” for something. You can always change them later.
Front and Center: Don’t just label the top of a bin — put a label on the side that faces out. No need to lift every lid to figure out what’s inside.
💡 Tip: Black lettering on a white background (or white on black) is the easiest to read quickly.
Color-Coding: Let Your Eyes Do the Work
Colors can be just as powerful as words — sometimes even more so.
Keys: Use colorful key covers, or wrap a bit of colored tape around each key. The green one for the house, the red for the shed — no more jingling three silver twins to guess which is which.
Files and Papers: Assign colors — blue for bills, red for medical, green for home repair. A quick glance points you in the right direction.
Calendars: Pick a color for each type of activity — doctor’s visits in red, social dates in green, errands in yellow.
Daily Pills: If your pill organizer is clear, slip a piece of colored paper under each day of the week. Monday can be blue, Tuesday green, and so on — an instant visual cue.
It’s not just practical — it makes your daily planning a little brighter, too.
Visual Cues: Breadcrumbs for the Brain
Sometimes, the best reminder is simply putting things where you’ll actually see them.
Glasses in Baskets: Keep a small basket in the two spots you usually take them off — near your favorite chair and by the bed.
Medicine Meets Coffee: Place your pill organizer next to the coffee pot or teacup. Your morning routine becomes your reminder.
“Launch Pad” by the Door: A tray or small basket for your keys, phone, and wallet. Drop them there when you come in, scoop them up before you leave.
Sticky Note Surprises: A neon note on the front door that says “Trash Day!” or “Bring the umbrella” can save you from extra trips.
These little cues work like leaving breadcrumbs for your future self — easy to follow, even on busy days.
Tech to the Rescue
Technology sometimes feels complicated, but it can be surprisingly simple when used as a memory helper.
Voice Assistants (Alexa, Siri, Google Home): Just say, “Remind me to check the oven in 15 minutes.” Done.
Phone Alarms & Reminders: Use alarms for medications, or set recurring reminders for things like watering plants or trash day.
Item Trackers (Tile, AirTag): Attach to keys, wallets, even the TV remote. When it goes missing (and it will), you can make it beep from your phone.
Digital Calendars: Sync to your phone, tablet, or computer. Add events once, and you’ll get reminders everywhere.
💡 Tip: If the setup feels tricky, ask a friend, grandchild, or neighbor to help. Once it’s running, it does the work for you.
Gentle Habits That Help Memory Stick
Memory tools are great, but habits are just as powerful.
One Home for Each Item: Decide where things “live” — like a key hook by the door — and always return them there.
Say It Out Loud: When you put something down, say, “I’m leaving the remote on the coffee table.” Hearing it helps your brain file it away.
Checklists: Keep a short checklist by the door: “Keys, Glasses, Wallet, Phone.” Glance at it before heading out.
Pair a Task with a Habit: Take your vitamins right after brushing your teeth, or water the plants right after breakfast. Linking one action to another makes it stick.
And when the remote still ends up in the fridge (yes, it happens), just laugh and move on. You’re in good company.
💡 Caregiver Corner: Helping a Parent with Memory Aids
Start with the big frustration: Is it lost keys? Forgotten pills? Begin there and build confidence.
Use visibility over complexity: Bright colors, bold labels, and open baskets beat “clever” storage systems every time.
Encourage gentle repetition: Practice new habits together, saying them out loud: “Keys go on the hook.” Repetition builds memory.
👉 Which of these memory tricks do you think would work best for you? Have you tried something else that helps you keep track of your things?
We’d love to hear your ideas — whether it’s a clever labeling system, a funny story about lost glasses, or a tech tip that’s made life easier. Share your favorite memory aid in the comments so we can all learn from each other (and maybe laugh together at the things we’ve misplaced!).
I've done this since my 50s, after downsizing from a huge home to a tiny condo. Every bit of real estate storage matters, and yes, we have a storage unit as well. I keep an Excel spreadsheet to track my purchases (travel items, house, etc.), including where I put them, whether I lent them, if they're in storage, or their storage location in our home. I can easily search for anything.
The reason seniors leave everything out in plain sight. If it was put away, we’d never remember it.