Programs to improve memory and related cognitive functions: opinions and behaviors of elderly people

• Grant number: 12/18329-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2013
• End date: July 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Maria Helena Morgani de Almeida
• Grantee: Andrea Toshye Sato
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Considering frequent cognitive complaints by elderly people, the Gerontology Laboratory of the Occupational Therapy Course at the Medical Faculty of the University of São Paulo - Campus SP (GeronTO) has been offering several "Programs to Improve Memory and Related Cognitive Functions" designed for elderly people in the neighborhood. Objectives: a) Characterization of elderly people participating in those programs and identification of opinions and behaviors related to their participation; b) Analysis of eventual benefits from those programs and proposal of adjustments to the same. Methodological procedures: a prospective, qualitative study that will establish focal groups of elderly participants of the "Programs to Improve Memory and Related Cognitive Functions" developed in 2010 and 2011 by GeronTO. 56 elderly participants are estimated for this study. The groups will gather at FMUSP and each one will be composed of 4 (minimum) to 12 (maximum) participants. The results from four to five groups are expected to be obtained within one session only, along two hours approximately. The groups will be conducted by a moderator and an assistant moderator and will be guided according to a semi-structured schedule aiming at promoting discussion about the experience of participants in the programs, including eventual influence on performance and memory capacity in daily activities, as well as the adoption of related self-care practices. As a way to stimulate participation, a summary of the contents of the program will be presented. Analysis of results: activities of each group will be recorded (audio) and he groups will be recorded in audio and the contents of this will be put in written form to be analyzed according to thematic content analysis. (AU)