American Psychological Association Preconference Continuing Education Workshop

Memory Action Program

Conducted by Robin West, University of Florida

Wednesday, August 5, 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Cosponsored by APA Division 20 and Division 12/Section II

 

Decades of research demonstrate that memory training can be effective with older adults. However, maintenance of training effects over time has been elusive, as older adults often abandon what they have learned. Training programs that change beliefs may be key to long-term maintenance. Self-regulatory beliefs, such as self-efficacy and control beliefs, have the power to influence performance over and above the impact of ability (Bandura, 1997). Although beliefs are important in aging and memory, almost no memory training programs have targeted beliefs and few have led to beliefs change concomitant with performance change. This workshop will provide participants with an overview and demonstration of a comprehensive and successful memory training program, focusing on self-efficacy, which they can implement in their own communities. This workshop will inform psychologists about key theories and research in memory training and prepare psychologists to administer an empirically-validated memory training program.

 

Learning Objectives:

 

1.  Understand research results on memory training for healthy seniors.

2.  Become familiar with important principles for delivering a successful community-based memory intervention for older adults.

3.  Understand educational materials, such as the Everyday Memory Clinic Workbook.

4.  Apply educational materials to offer memory training in your own community.

 

Questions about the workshop can be sent to Brian Carpenter, Division 20 CE Committee Co-Chair, bcarpenter@wustl.edu