Remembering to age successfully: evaluation of a successful aging approach to memory enhancement.
BACKGROUND
Memory enhancement programs that can significantly improve actual memory performance and subjective perceptions of everyday memory in elderly people are rare. This study was designed to evaluate a new memory enhancement program incorporating principles of successful aging, designed to enhance subjective and objective everyday memory in community-dwelling old people.


METHODS
Two matched groups of 20 healthy community-dwelling elderly adults were assessed on measures of objective and subjective memory performance before and after participating in a memory enhancement or active control condition.


RESULTS
Planned multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) on change scores showed that participants in the memory enhancement program improved significantly on both objective and subjective measures. Specifically, greater improvement was demonstrated on a verbal paired associates task, story recall, face recognition, contentment with memory, and use of memory strategies.


CONCLUSIONS
Although a fully randomized design was not used, the results are promising, suggesting that memory training incorporating principles of successful aging can enhance memory performance in healthy old people, objectively and subjectively.
Hohaus
Lydia
L
School of Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia. L.Hohaus@griffith.edu.au
D000124:Achievement; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods