Memory slips and compensation strategies Sample Clauses

Memory slips and compensation strategies. One of the main complaints usually reported by elder people about their memory relates to what we call prospective memory – the memory to remember to do things in the future (ex. remembering the appointment with the doctor, remember to pay the bills etc.). Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxxxx wrote about memory complaints in the elderly: “At the subjective level, it has been shown that some of the memory problems included in this component (i.e. forgetting appointments) were reported by middle- aged and older adults to be more serious than other everyday memory failures, even if they occurred less frequently (Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, & Xxxxxxxx, 1991). This indicates that older adults judged them as more threatening or as an indication that something is wrong with their memory. Importantly, we found a correlation between the level of complaint on this component and a measure of functional autonomy…” (Xxxxxxxx & Belleville, 2013). This is why we use agenda and external reminders not to forget to do these things. But sometime it’s not enough and we finally forget what we had to do, especially when we don’t have our calendar or reminder with us, when we are in a non- routine activity, etc. Some techniques have been elaborated to bypass the problem related to these external methods of remembering. One of these techniques is “Implementation Intentions”, first presented by Xxxxxxxxxx (1999). This technique benefits from the fact that one no longer needs an external device or notes to remember to do things. Instead, one defines an environmental trigger (that would anyway be present) to remember the thing to do. Implementation Intentions are done by formulating a sentence on a particular way and, at the same time, visualizing the cue situation and the corresponding action. The sentence is formulated according to a “When [situation], Then [action]” pattern. The user therefore establishes an automatic link between a cue and a response. In addition to that verbal statement, the user adds a detailed visual image of the situation: he sees himself making the right action in response to the cue. These very simple processes establish a strong link that will automatically be reactivated when confronted to the cue situation. This is why it does not rely on external aids; the user does not anymore need to check notes or an agenda. This technique has been proven to be efficient for elderly (see for example XxXxxxxxx & Xxxxxx, 2011, Xxxxxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, 2009). Xxxxxxxxxx and Xxxxx (...