Long-term effects of a memory group intervention reported by older adults

The aim of this study was to examine older adults' experiences of change following a group memory intervention, the La Trobe and Caulfield Hospital (LaTCH) Memory Group programme. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 individuals. Participants were healthy older adults a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuropsychological rehabilitation 2020-07, Vol.30 (6), p.1044-1058
Main Authors: Matthews, Milanda L., Wells, Yvonne, Pike, Kerryn E., Kinsella, Glynda J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acceptance
Adaptation, Psychological
Aged
Aging
Aging - psychology
Amnesia - psychology
Amnesia - rehabilitation
Cognitive ability
Cognitive Dysfunction - psychology
Cognitive Dysfunction - rehabilitation
Cognitive impairment
Coping
Female
Group norms
Group therapy
Humans
Intervention
Long term
Long-term effects
Male
Memory
Mild cognitive impairment
Older people
Psychological distress
Psychotherapy, Group
Qualitative Research
Self Efficacy
Shared experiences
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The aim of this study was to examine older adults' experiences of change following a group memory intervention, the La Trobe and Caulfield Hospital (LaTCH) Memory Group programme. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 individuals. Participants were healthy older adults and older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who had participated in the memory group five years previously. Transcripts were analysed for emergent themes in a workshop, using the Most Significant Change technique. The focus group derived four major themes relating to participants' experiences of change. Particularly noteworthy were themes describing a process of acceptance and normalising of memory difficulties in older age, as well as enhancement of coping and self-efficacy. The results highlight the importance of group support for older adults with and without objective memory impairment. Memory groups may use the group format to full advantage by (a) enhancing participants' experiences of universality to alleviate distress and promote coping, and (b) developing group norms to promote positive ageing, encompassing enhanced acceptance and self-efficacy.
ISSN:0960-2011
1464-0694
DOI:10.1080/09602011.2018.1544570