Research Seeks to Understand Memory Loss in Older People

Today, one out of very 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 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, M.S., assistant professor, Geriatric-Care Manager Certificate Program director and coordinator of the Gerontology Education Center for Professional Development at Misericordia University; and his colleague, Margie Eckroth-Bucher, R.N., associate professor of nursing at Bloomsburg University; are spearheading the research with Misericordia students Jamie Donahue, Mehoopany, Pa.; Grant Greenberg, Douglaston, N.Y.; Pam Roberts, Shavertown, Pa.; Cheryl Wilson, Shohola, Pa.; and Emily Getz, Kunkletown, Pa., at the Maria Joseph Manor’s Continuing Care Community in Danville.

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 that are designed to promote decision making, stimulate concentration and hand-eye coordination, and to use 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 might 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 health care providers to find proven tools that slow down the deterioration of an older person’s cognitive abilities.’’

Siberski, Eckroth-Bucher and student researchers began the study in February by having a psychologist and nurse specialist examine the mental abilities of the volunteer subjects that range in age from 55 to 91. Their mental abilities will be retested 12 and eight 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 and moderate cognitive impairment.

Researchers divided volunteers into two sections, a treatment group and 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.