A comparison of training strategies to enhance use of external aids by persons with dementia

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two training approaches, Spaced Retrieval (SR) and a modified Cueing Hierarchy (CH), for teaching persons with dementia a strategy goal involving an external memory aid. Twenty-five persons with dementia living in either community or nursing home settings received training on two individual-specific strategy goals, one with each training approach. Results revealed that significantly more goals were attained using SR procedures than CH, but that a majority of participants learned to use external aids using both strategies. There were no significant differences in the number of sessions required to master goals in either condition; however, significantly more SR goals were maintained at both I-week and 4-months post-training compared to CH goals. Mental status was not significantly correlated with goal mastery, suggesting the potential benefits of strategy training beyond the early stages of dementia. Learning outcomes: As a result of this activity, the reader will be able to (1) identify ways to enable persons with dementia to make effective use of external memory aids; (2) describe a method, Spaced Retrieval, by which persons with dementia can learn and retain information; and (3) describe two approaches to working with persons with dementia to train a strategy learning goal. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.