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 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.

Predictors of Long-Term Improvement in Subjective Everyday Memory Following a Memory Group Program for Older Adults.

Objective: The present study aimed to examine predictors of improvement in subjective everyday memory ability 5 years following participation in a group cognitive-behavioral memory intervention for community-living older adults, the La Trobe and Caulfield Hospital (LaTCH) Memory Group program. Method: Participants were 61 healthy older adults and data were analyzed using one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), hierarchical regression, and moderator analyses. Results: Although the group as a whole did not show significant gains in subjective memory ability following the intervention, greater gains in subjective memory ability were associated with poorer baseline associative memory, better baseline cognitive flexibility, and more subjective memory concerns prior to intervention. There was no interaction between the cognitive predictors and subjective memory concerns in predicting gains in subjective memory ability. Discussion: Differential benefits for more cognitively flexible individuals may derive from a greater capacity to engage skillfully in the expectancy modification aspects of the program.