Once-Weekly Spaced Retrieval Training Is Effective in Supporting Everyday Memory Activities in Community Dwelling Older People with Dementia

Abstract

This study describes the effectiveness of spaced retrieval training undertaken by 13 community-dwelling participants with dementia to help them remember personally relevant information or strategies during once-weekly sessions. At the completion of training sessions 12 participants correctly recalled and demonstrated appropriate use of the to-be-remembered information or strategy. At a 6-month follow-up assessment, five participants could still correctly recall and use the information or strategy and a further two, who were unable to correctly recall trained information, were nonetheless demonstrating usage in their daily activities. Acquisition, but not retention, of the to-be-remembered information was positively associated with Mini-Mental State Examination, Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test, and several domains of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status.

KEYWORDS:

• behavioral interventions
• dementia
• spaced retrieval training