MEMORY SKILLS GROUP FOR OLDER VETERANS WITH COGNITIVE CONCERNS AND PTSD

Aging Veterans with PTSD are at increased risk for dementia and may present for evaluation based on cognitive decline concerns. Extensive evaluation is often unnecessary, but care models for those with mild neurocognitive disorder or subjective problems are needed. “Memory Skills for Older Adults wi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Innovation in aging 2018-11, Vol.2 (suppl_1), p.384-385
Main Authors: Trittschuh, E H, Tyrrell, C J, Shofer, J B, Thielke, S
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Aging Veterans with PTSD are at increased risk for dementia and may present for evaluation based on cognitive decline concerns. Extensive evaluation is often unnecessary, but care models for those with mild neurocognitive disorder or subjective problems are needed. “Memory Skills for Older Adults with PTSD” is an outpatient psychoeducational class protocol developed at the VA Puget Sound. Intervention goals were to provide patient-centered education via group setting to promote translation of skills into daily function and to promote healthy brain aging via behavioral change. Veterans age 55+ (n=115, 109M/6F; mean age 68) with a diagnosis of PTSD, and no dementia, engaged in 8 group sessions lasting 1 hour, with multidisciplinary leaders at urban and rural sites. SMART goals, behavioral activation, and mindfulness training provided a backbone across sessions. Findings regarding retention, participant characteristics, pre- and post-group data collected via Veteran-completed symptom and attitude questionnaires will be reviewed.
ISSN:2399-5300
2399-5300
DOI:10.1093/geroni/igy023.1431