Participants sought
for memory groups
Psychology researchers at WSU are seeking people with memory problems and their spouses or other family members to participate in treatment and intervention groups in Eastern Washington. Groups are tentatively planned for Spokane, Tri-Cities the Pullman/Moscow area and Lewiston, depending on interest.
The goal of the project is to help people maintain their independence as long as possible, decrease caregiver burden and increase social support networks for both clients and their families or caregivers.
Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe, professor of psychology at WSU Pullman, said eligibility criteria include being 50 years old or older, reporting memory problems for a minimum of six months or having been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.
Participants must also have a spouse, other relative or friend who is willing to participate as a care-partner. Each group will consist of four to six dyads.
One of the key interventions will be learning to use a memory notebook, but participants also will work on stress reduction techniques, communication skills, problem solving, socialization and a range of other topics related to healthy living and the aging process.
For more information, call 509-335-4033, ext. 1
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PULLMAN, Wash. – A cure for dementia continues to be elusive. But WSU researchers say education and support, along with a simple tool – a memory notebook – could be key to giving those with memory loss a sense of control and prolonged independence.
“It’s not a cure; it’s a tool,” said Mary Lewandowski, a caregiver who has participated in a WSU research group with her friend, June Vereecke, since May 2011.
Faithful use improves memory
Patient-caregiver teams
Encouraging results
Memory notebook
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The multi-family group is being adapted and integrated with the memory notebook and related cognitive strategies, Dyck said, because his earlier research and other studies have shown it to be effective in helping patients and families with disabilities from psychiatric disorders and brain injury to cope more effectively.
Helping families cope
Remembering to remember
Multiple kinds of memory
Memory calendar
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Getting through the day requires multiple kinds of memory, most of which are addressed in one way or another by writing in the notebook. Keeping a running journal, perhaps writing every hour, helps people with episodic memory – remembering what they did, who they talked to and what was said.
Stress, depression and impairment
“There’s a lot that we still have to learn about the interplay of those three elements,” Warren said.