[A course of memory training for the elderly. Preliminary description of design, organization and possible effects]

The Department of Social Gerontology at the University of Nijmegen has over the last two years developed and experimentally applied a course of memory training for elderly people. It was assumed that elderly easily overestimate their forgetfulness. During ten sessions the elderly are offered an opportunity to learn memory supportive techniques and strategies and to use them with their day-to-day forget fullness. Interest in the course was great. During the experimental stage over 1000 elderly in Nijmegen, Arnhem, Apeldoorn and Ede participated. The participants usually reported an increased self-confidence. Furthermore they seem to change or use their personal techniques more efficiently due to the course. It was also striking to see that the course activated the elderly socially and intellectually. Thirty to fourty percent of the participants would participate in further activities if they had been offered. A memory training course may therefore also direct elderly people to other educational facilities.