In my book, 2 Weeks to a Younger Brain, I offer readers some simple methods for taking control of the four most common memory complaints: not remembering names and faces; losing common objects; forgetting plans; and tip-of-the tongue memory slips.

Here is a brief summary of some tips to get you started:

For names and faces, practice the FOCUS and FRAME technique to learn to associate names and faces using visual images. Other strategies include repeating the name during conversation, or thinking of other familiar people you know who have the same name (perhaps a friend or celebrity who comes to mind).

For complex or unusual names, it can help to ask the person to spell their name and then try to visualize it in your mind’s eye.

The best approach to avoid losing keys and glasses is to create memory places for these often misplaced items. I keep my glasses on the dresser next to my bed. My keys are always in the same drawer in my desk.

If you don’t have a memory place nearby, be sure to focus your attention when you put down the item and perhaps come up with a visual image to fix it in your memory. For example, I placed my notepad next to the flower vase so I imagined a dozen roses drawn on my notebook.

To fight back against forgetting appointments and plans, create a daily memory habit of reviewing your calendar every morning before leaving your house. Think about the details of all your plans and meetings for the day and make sure you take everything you will need.

Finally, help is here for those irritating moments when you are sure that you know a word or name, but it just won’t roll off the tip of your tongue.

When this happens, jot down any associations to the word or phrase you can think of (i.e., that book you read last month or that red-headed actress who won an Oscar last year), then look up the answer later and use FOCUS and FRAME to link your associations to the title, name, or word that wouldn’t roll off your tongue.

That way, you’ll avoid the same mental slip in the future.