title: 'Accepting where I'm at' - a qualitative study of the mechanisms, benefits, and impact of a behavioral memory intervention for community-dwelling older adults.
abstract: Gain novel, in-depth insight into therapeutic mechanisms, benefits, and impact of a multi-modal behavioral memory intervention for older adults with concerns about memory.
  
  
  
  Participants were11 community-dwelling older adults (aged 63-88) who completed the Memory and Aging Program, an evidence-based multi-modal group intervention for normal age-related memory change. Semi-structured interviews were administered post-intervention. Responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis until meaningful themes were agreed upon.
  
  
  
  Analyses revealed a main theme of normalization as the overarching benefit of participation. The mechanism for this comprised both specific intervention content and the process of participating with others. A positive impact of the intervention was demonstrated at emotional (feelings of reassurance, hope, and confidence) and functional (increasing motivation for lifestyle change) levels; for some, there was a direct link between emotion and function.
  
  
  
  This study highlighted a single, prominent therapeutic benefit of normalization, illustrated a dual mechanism for achieving this, and characterized a nuanced inter-relationship of the emotional and functional impact of the intervention for participants. Results support the notion that group behavioral interventions can educate, empower, and promote psychological well-being in older adults and may be an effective avenue to reduce risk of disease and promote sustained functional independence.
authors.affiliation: a Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health Program, Baycrest Health Sciences , Toronto , Canada.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6187-9077
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vandermorris
authors.affiliation: b Occupational Therapy, Baycrest Health Sciences , Toronto , Canada.|c Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada.
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1630-2842
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.affiliation: d Department of Psychology , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada.
authors.forename: April
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9047-5904
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Au
authors.affiliation: a Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health Program, Baycrest Health Sciences , Toronto , Canada.|e Department of Psychology , Queen's University , Kingston , Canada.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sue
authors.affiliation: f Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied and Evaluative Research Unit, Baycrest Health Sciences , Toronto , Canada.
authors.forename: Shafagh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fallah
authors.affiliation: a Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health Program, Baycrest Health Sciences , Toronto , Canada.|d Department of Psychology , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada.
authors.forename: Angela K
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5660-4127
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Troyer
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000066492:Cognitive Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D065026:Hope; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Age-associated memory problems; qualitative methods; self-efficacy/coping