TY - JOUR
T1 - A Combined Treatment Approach to Support Everyday Function and Promote Brain Health in Older Adults
T2 - A Pilot Study
AU - Denny, Katherine G.
AU - Harvey, Danielle
AU - Meyer, Oanh L.
AU - Chan, Michelle L.
AU - Barba, Cheyanne
AU - Farias, Sarah Tomaszewski
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - Objective: Subtle changes in functional abilities are an early indicator of cognitive impairment. Early intervention may be key to prolonging independence. This study describes the development and program evaluation of an intervention designed to (1) bolster the use of compensation strategies that support everyday executive and memory functioning and (2) utilize these strategies to promote engagement in brain health activities. Method: Older adults (n = 35) with subjective cognitive complaints completed an eight-week group program targeting compensation strategies (e.g., calendars) and brain health activities (e.g., physical exercise). Participants completed outcome measures at first, last, and 3 month follow-up sessions. Results: Compensation strategy use can be successfully taught to and implemented by older adults, and increasing engagement in brain health behaviors is possible, although particular lifestyle changes are challenging to implement. Conclusion: Findings support the use of interventions aimed at increased engagement in compensation strategies to aid everyday memory and executive functioning. Clinical Implications: Early intervention may help to promote prolonged functional independence.
AB - Objective: Subtle changes in functional abilities are an early indicator of cognitive impairment. Early intervention may be key to prolonging independence. This study describes the development and program evaluation of an intervention designed to (1) bolster the use of compensation strategies that support everyday executive and memory functioning and (2) utilize these strategies to promote engagement in brain health activities. Method: Older adults (n = 35) with subjective cognitive complaints completed an eight-week group program targeting compensation strategies (e.g., calendars) and brain health activities (e.g., physical exercise). Participants completed outcome measures at first, last, and 3 month follow-up sessions. Results: Compensation strategy use can be successfully taught to and implemented by older adults, and increasing engagement in brain health behaviors is possible, although particular lifestyle changes are challenging to implement. Conclusion: Findings support the use of interventions aimed at increased engagement in compensation strategies to aid everyday memory and executive functioning. Clinical Implications: Early intervention may help to promote prolonged functional independence.
KW - Aging
KW - behavioral intervention
KW - cognitive complaints
KW - older adults
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85068719717&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85068719717&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/07317115.2019.1633574
DO - 10.1080/07317115.2019.1633574
M3 - Article
C2 - 31284845
AN - SCOPUS:85068719717
JO - Clinical Gerontologist
JF - Clinical Gerontologist
SN - 0731-7115
ER -