Improving memory knowledge, satisfaction, and functioning via an educationand intervention program for older adults

Many healthy older adults are concerned about memory change and are interes ted in learning techniques for enhancing memory function in their everyday lives. A memory education and intervention program was developed and admini stered to 36 community-dwelling older adults. Pretest-posttest change score s showed significant improvement on measures of knowledge (i.e., general fa cts about memory, memory strategies), metamemory (i.e., satisfaction with m emory, self-rated memory ability), and objective memory performance (i.e., everyday prospective memory) in comparison to 24 demographically matched co ntrol participants. Findings support the effectiveness of memory education and training in improving everyday functioning, particularly for older adul ts whose memory concerns result from inadequate knowledge about memory and aging.