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May 2 - Research Seeks to Understand
Memory Loss in Older People
Today, one of every 12 people aged 65 and
older will experience a decline in their ability to remember,
think clearly, reason, and make daily decisions. The decline
in memory and mental abilities may be subtle, but it limits
quality of life and oftentimes leads to depression.
Misericordia University researchers are leading
a team of students and faculty from two regional institutions
of higher education in northeastern Pennsylvania in a six-month
study to better understand how to treat people with memory
problems and who have a decreased ability to think clearly.
James Siberski, MS, an assistant professor,
the director of the Geriatric Care Manager Certificate Program,
and the coordinator of the Gerontology Education Center for
Professional Development at Misericordia; and his colleague,
Margie Eckroth-Bucher, RN, an associate professor of nursing
at Bloomsburg (Pa.) University, are spearheading the research
with Misericordia students working at the Maria Joseph Manor’s
Continuing Care Community in Danville, Pa.
The Integrated Cognitive Stimulation and Memory
Care Program is designed to test what effects a specific set
of activities will have on a person’s ability to think,
reason, remember, and make decisions. Guests and residents
at the long-term care facility are participating in the study
through activities designed to promote decision making, stimulate
concentration and hand-eye coordination, and the use of their
mental abilities by identifying words, and recognizing objects
and words through sight.
The study, funded by grants from the Pennsylvania
Department of Aging, the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association,
and the Deutsch Institute, will also determine what effects
the activities may have on any symptoms of depression.
“This study is an important first step
in understanding how routine daily activities might have a
positive effect on the aging mind,’’ says Siberski.
“With our aging population and baby boomers nearing
retirement, it is vitally important for healthcare providers
to find proven tools that slow down the deterioration of an
older person’s cognitive abilities.’’
Siberski, Eckroth-Bucher, and the student
researchers began the study in February by having a psychologist
and nurse specialist examine the mental abilities of the volunteer
subjects who range in age from 55 to 91. Their mental abilities
will be retested eight and 12 weeks later to determine if
results can be maintained. The tests determined if the volunteers
were placed into one of three categories: no cognitive impairment,
mild cognitive impairment, ormoderate cognitive impairment.
Researchers divided volunteers into two sections,
a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group
is involved in the specific research activities, while the
control group volunteers participate in the examinations but
maintain their normal schedule of activities.
The treatment group’s results from the
mental status and cognitive ability examinations are entered
into a computer which records the scores for each participant
and exercise. The information will also be used to determine
if the program’s activities had an effect on any individuals.
“Any useful information that can be
gleaned through a study like ours can be groundbreaking because
there is no known effective prevention or treatment for someone’s
loss of mental ability,’’ Siberski says, explaining
the importance of the study. “Preventative care is an
important part of any healthcare provider’s job. Helping
someone maintain their cognitive abilities prolongs their
quality of life by allowing them to keep their independence
and by preventing and treating depression.’’
Researchers will review their data after the
study concludes in August. The data will be used to compile
a report for publication and will be presented at conferences
that Siberski delivers about Alzheimer’s disease. A
final report will also be filed with the state Department
of Aging.
Source: Misericordia University
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