Patricia Ebert

2002 Research Trainee Award, PhD

Psychosocial predicators of success following memory intervention in older adults

Memory difficulties accompany the aging process. Two common examples include reduced ability to recall recent information or events and problems remembering to do something in the future. Programs have been developed to help older adults, including people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers, deal with age-related memory changes. Although most benefit from these programs, not everyone responds equally and some do not seem to benefit at all. Little research has been done to investigate how psychosocial factors, such as personality characteristics, coping abilities and emotional status, affect the success of memory intervention programs. In her doctoral research, Patricia Lynn Ebert is assessing the impact of psychosocial factors on adults 70 and older who are in memory programs. Patricia hopes the results will lead to greater understanding of memory function in older adults, improved memory intervention programs, and better outcomes for program participants. Completed award term, March 2005

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