INTERVENTIONS

Memory Strategies

Teaching memory strategies was an intervention that I learned about in my OT 883 Cogntive-Neurological Determinants of Occupation course. In a clinical setting, if someone scored lower on a cognitive test or if they or their family identified them having problems with memory, the OT would offer interventions or strategies to help them. Memory problems are a common barrier to individuals living safely and independently in their home. Memory problems can act as a barrier to daily functioning, carrying out daily activities, and remaining independent in the home and community. One main focus or areas of concern is with regard to taking medications or remembering important appointments and dates. In terms of medications, if a client normally uses pill bottles at home the OT would recommend using blister packs. This way the individual would be provided with a visual reminder for taking their medication and would not have to worry about taking some medications and not others, as they would all be in one convenient place. Another memory strategy that can be taught to clients is programming appointments, reminders, and alarms on their phones, or showing the client how to create and organize a pocket calendar to carry with them. Another memory intervention I learned about in my cog-neuro class was a memory notebook. This comprised the core of external memory compensations and was essentially a large notebook that the client organized into sections that they were having difficulty with or would benefit the most from. Possible sections in a memory notebook included: Things to do, memory log, daily schedule, homework, contacts, history and background, extra notes. This intervention is very client centered in that the client chooses which sections they feel the need or want in their notebook and work with the OT to create and organize them. This intervention proved to be very successful in the clients I observed on placement and the feedback from clients about this intervention was very positive. These interventions would be used with clients experiencing mild to moderate cognitive decline or difficulties in memory. 

For clients with more severe cognitive or memory impairments, memory strategies can also be used as an intervention. One strategy was the chaining technique which was the method of teaching clients to perform sequences by means of procedural memory. The idea of this is breaking down complex tasks into multiple steps, with each step serving as a cue for the next. This intervention seemed to work well for clients especially when made applicable or meaningful to them in some way, to further enhance their memory and ability to use this strategy. If working with individuals with memory difficulties these are some examples of memory strategies I could teach them as a therapeutic intervention. 

Internal memory strategies 

• association techniques

• organizational techniques

External memory strategies

• checklist - to perform tasks or their steps

• timetables - for daily activities

• day planners/organizers and assistive technology - alarms, notes

• objects

• tile mate