Table 1 Aging Brain Care Acquiring New Skills While Enhancing Remaining Strengths intervention content
Topic | Materials | |
|---|---|---|
1 | Introduction of project, format of sessions, and goals Overview of educational information about communication, cognitive or thinking abilities, roles, and social activities | Strength-based assessment Skills checklist Review of strength/skills Session evaluation |
2 | Review of session 1 Introduction to effective communication skills Difficulties in communication Communication skills and techniques | Supplementary session worksheets Examples of skills include patience and acceptance, compromising, KISS, rephrasing questions, redirection with verbal and/or physical cues, narrowing the choices (closed-ended questions), and connecting with others (open-ended questions) Session evaluation Action plan |
3 | Review and discuss session 2 action plan Introduction to cognitive engagement Discussion tools, tips, and strategies of cognitive engagement | Review session 2 action plan Examples of skills include giving hints, spaced retrieval, and external memory aids (i.e., signs, lists) Supplementary session worksheets Session evaluation Action plan |
4 | Review and discuss session 3 action plan Introduction to understanding emotions and behaviors | Review session 3 action plan Examples of skills include cognitive task analysis, building on and using previously learned skills, and the activity notebook for cognitive stimulation and engagement Action plan |
5 | Review and discuss session 4 action plan and reflection Cognitive techniques to manage emotions and behaviors Review of skills from sessions 2 and 3 | Review session 4 action plan Skills include validation, reframing, reevaluating expectations, giving yourself permission, substituting behaviors, adjusting the environment, and making time to relax Supplementary session worksheets Session evaluation Action plan |
6 | Review and discuss sessions 4 and 5 action plans Introduction to managing role changes and social activities Skills and techniques to support roles and activities | Review of action plan Examples of skills include simplifying activities and routines, pleasant activities assessment, increasing pleasant activities Supplementary session worksheets Session evaluation Action plan |
7 | Review and discuss session 6 action plan Advanced practice for care partners | Review of action plan Session evaluation Action plan |
8 | Review and discuss session 7 action plan Session wrapup and future action plans | Review of action plan Session evaluation Overall program evaluations Action plan |
9 | 12-week booster session Review and discuss session 8 action plan Session wrapup and future action plans | Review of action plan Session 9 evaluations |