Improving cognitive health and managing everyday memory challenges is at the forefront of a course Griffith University is running to help older Australians reverse the impact of ageing and health issues.
Griffith’s Psychology Clinic is running a six-week course called the LaTCH Memory Management Group Program which offers practical skills training and strategies for older adults with memory concerns.
LaTCH was developed by a team of researchers from La Trobe University and Caulfield Hospital to reduce the risk of older Australians developing dementia later in life and to assist middle to older adults who were often concerned about age-related memory changes.
Associate Professor Kerryn Pike from the School of Applied Psychology said attendees participate two hours per week over a six-week period and will learn about memory and memory loss, and how to improve everyday memory.
“LaTCH focuses on strategies to assist common everyday memory issues such as name recall, remembering tasks, and remembering where you have put things or not losing them to begin with,” Associate Professor Pike said.
“By the end of the sessions, we find people feel more confident with their memory, which often leads to more confidence in engaging in different everyday activities.”
One of the methods, spaced retrieval, involved repeating things over increasingly longer intervals.
Active retrieval and spacing of repetition was key with the exercise.
Participants recited a list of words or a name and then repeated it after a specific amount of time, and then stretched out that time to test memory capability.
Group members receive handouts during the session to reinforce learning and are asked to complete weekly assignments to assist in applying memory strategies to everyday memory lapses.
Topics included:
- How memory works
- Factors that can impact on memory performance, including health concerns and ageing
- Different strategies for different tasks including remembering names, things to do, appointments, keeping track of belongings
- Positive lifestyle choices for brain health and ageing well
- What to do if you have concerns
Associate Professor Pike said LaTCH had been running for 20 years.
Results from several research studies demonstrate that LaTCH is effective in improving everyday memory ability, knowledge and use of memory strategies in daily life, and how people feel about their memory.
“Most people who attend LaTCH find the program effective and saw a marked improvement in how they manage their memory in daily life,” she said.
For more information on the LaTCH program, click here.
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Kerryn Pike
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