Virtual Team Memory Pillars: Navigating as a Learning and Relearning Strategy.

The team recently explored research that found that you don’t have to be the driver to experience the benefits of driving and route orientation. The 2012 American Psychological Association reports research that indicates that “active navigation is more relevant as a learning strategy than maneuvering the vehicle.” So try involving your residents with the navigation process to enhance orientation and reduce the behaviors associated with confusion. This may be beneficial on outings and during movement from one location to another within the facility. Remember from previous research, outings were instrumental in improving behaviors and long-term memory retrieval.

Virtual Team Memory Pillars Update: Chewing Gum!

Virtual Team Memory Pillars are currently exploring how various stimuli can enhance short term memory. In a 2002 study it was found that the initial flavor bursts of gum can briefly enhance short-term memory.  However; in another study, chewing gum was found to be a distracter because of its multi-system sensory utilization.

Virtual Team Memory Pillars Update!

This week we explored the many reasons concerning why it is so difficult for the public to have access to the latest greatest research on memory care.



It is difficult to over-estimate the impact of external forces on the success, evaluation, and relevance of implementation projects. Changes in Medicare payments policies, for example, can speed, slow, or kill implementation projects regardless of any local efforts. There are many more subtle external forces that influence the outcomes of implementation research. This is precisely why the typical clinical trial research project shields itself from these forces and precisely why the results of clinical trials often are not relevant to day-today clinical practice. Some of these forces, such as the patient-centered medical home movement, represent a vehicle to facilitate successful implementation (Callahan, et al. 2011).

Virtual Team Brain Storm Update!

This week Team Brain Storm studied how exercise can improve brain function.




Check out this research:
In aging humans the cortex and hippocampus atrophy [19] and memory function declines [20]. These deleterious consequences of aging might be attenuated by exercise [6]. Physically fit aged individuals, identified by self-report of activity level, performed better on measures such as reasoning, working memory, vocabulary and reaction time than their sedentary counterparts [21]. (Pragg, 2009)

For full abstract and text email Debra at stewartd@stleonard.net

One more exciting update -Kelly Lance is the new Team Captain for Team Brain Storm!