MEMORY TRAINING 2
Running Head: MEMORY TRAINING 1
Memory Training in Older Adults
Name
PSY307 A02 Adulthood and Aging
Argosy University
Abstract
This paper discusses normal memory loss due to aging as compared to memory loss due to dementia. It summarizes Cavallini, Pagnin, and Vecchi's 2003 study of improved memory function in older adults through mnemonics and strategic training. This paper then explores a design for a study to enhance memory through visual mnemonics and re-education of normal aging processes in older adults. It addresses participants, measures, results, and ethical considerations.
Memory Training in Older Adults Memory is one of the major areas of interest in cognitive psychology and one of the main …show more content…
A major and early symptom of dementia are memory loss. This memory loss differs from age-related memory loss by its severity. Dementia memory loss shows up as losing time, not remembering knowing a person, becoming disoriented easily even in familiar places, losing language skills and social withdrawal, and having little or no awareness of cognitive problems (National Institute on aging, 2009). Genetic as well as environmental factors are invariably linked to dementia. As with Erikson's stages of adulthood, the choices we make and the successes or failures with each stage's crises impact how severe the memory loss due to age will become, due to one's sense of self-efficacy, ability to self-motivate, and belief in aging stereotypes. Proactivity is essential to encourage new brain plasticity and neural development to keep the brain active. If a person reaches the generativity vs stagnation stage and feels unfulfilled, the lack of motivation and loss of sense of self-efficacy may exacerbate memory loss. If a person reaches the integrity vs despair stage and feels despair, this sense of failure could lead to even less desire to seek better mental abilities through proactive activities. These ineffective strategies could be responsible for age-related memory …show more content…
They will be taught how to implement the visual memory technique. The other group will be taught how aging affects memory, how nutrition and mood can affect memory, and that memory is controllable by learning techniques to optimize recall, as well as the visual memory technique. The visual memory technique to be used will be a brightly colored board place in the participant's bedroom where he or she can post notes and hang keys (a sort of home-base for things that need to be recalled). The training period will last for two weeks. Those in the control group will be called every other day by the trainer and asked how the technique is working for them and if they have any questions. Those in the other group will receive three hours of training the first day in which the aforementioned education will be given and then receive calls from the trainer the same as the control group. The Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire (MMQ) is a self-report measure that assesses three dimensions of a person's memory; personal perception of everyday memory, overall satisfaction with personal memory, and strategies used for everyday memory. This questionnaire will be used as a measure of advancement in
Running Head: MEMORY TRAINING 1
Memory Training in Older Adults
Name
PSY307 A02 Adulthood and Aging
Argosy University
Abstract
This paper discusses normal memory loss due to aging as compared to memory loss due to dementia. It summarizes Cavallini, Pagnin, and Vecchi's 2003 study of improved memory function in older adults through mnemonics and strategic training. This paper then explores a design for a study to enhance memory through visual mnemonics and re-education of normal aging processes in older adults. It addresses participants, measures, results, and ethical considerations.
Memory Training in Older Adults Memory is one of the major areas of interest in cognitive psychology and one of the main …show more content…
A major and early symptom of dementia are memory loss. This memory loss differs from age-related memory loss by its severity. Dementia memory loss shows up as losing time, not remembering knowing a person, becoming disoriented easily even in familiar places, losing language skills and social withdrawal, and having little or no awareness of cognitive problems (National Institute on aging, 2009). Genetic as well as environmental factors are invariably linked to dementia. As with Erikson's stages of adulthood, the choices we make and the successes or failures with each stage's crises impact how severe the memory loss due to age will become, due to one's sense of self-efficacy, ability to self-motivate, and belief in aging stereotypes. Proactivity is essential to encourage new brain plasticity and neural development to keep the brain active. If a person reaches the generativity vs stagnation stage and feels unfulfilled, the lack of motivation and loss of sense of self-efficacy may exacerbate memory loss. If a person reaches the integrity vs despair stage and feels despair, this sense of failure could lead to even less desire to seek better mental abilities through proactive activities. These ineffective strategies could be responsible for age-related memory …show more content…
They will be taught how to implement the visual memory technique. The other group will be taught how aging affects memory, how nutrition and mood can affect memory, and that memory is controllable by learning techniques to optimize recall, as well as the visual memory technique. The visual memory technique to be used will be a brightly colored board place in the participant's bedroom where he or she can post notes and hang keys (a sort of home-base for things that need to be recalled). The training period will last for two weeks. Those in the control group will be called every other day by the trainer and asked how the technique is working for them and if they have any questions. Those in the other group will receive three hours of training the first day in which the aforementioned education will be given and then receive calls from the trainer the same as the control group. The Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire (MMQ) is a self-report measure that assesses three dimensions of a person's memory; personal perception of everyday memory, overall satisfaction with personal memory, and strategies used for everyday memory. This questionnaire will be used as a measure of advancement in