SeniorWISE: Improving Everyday Memory in At-Risk Elderly

Improving Everyday Memory in At-Risk Elderly

The purpose of this study is to determine whether classes on memory training will help older adults to improve or maintain their daily activities.

Volunteer participants will be randomly assigned to experimental (memory training) and comparison (health promotion) groups. Both groups will learn strategies for successful aging. Participants will be in the study for 27 months and will be interviewed on five occasions for 3 hours per interview. The classroom-based intervention is an 8-session, 1 1/2 hour course designed to teach older adults the use of strategies to improve everyday memory. Strategically-placed booster sessions will be provided to subjects within 3 months following the last class session.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Reside in Austin, Texas or Travis County
• African, Caucasian, or Hispanic heritage
• Fluent in reading and speaking English
• Mini Mental Exam scores of 23-30
• Pass executive function test
• Adequate hearing and vision to enable participation in classroom learning
• Free of Alzheimer's disease or other conditions (e.g., certain cancers) likely to result in mortality before study completion

Exclusion Criteria:

• Under 65
• Score less than 23 on MMSE
• Fail the executive function tests
• Severe sensory losses, hearing or vision, that would prohibit testing or participation
• self-report a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or other conditions (e.g., certain cancers) likely to result in mortality before study completion