16 • BrainMatters • Spring/Summer 2022
WHAT TO DO ABOUT
MEMORY CHANGES
IN OLDER ADULTS:
Neuropsychologists also developed an eLearning
program that allows older adults to take the course
anytime, anywhere. "Normal age-related memory
decline can be a source of worry or frustration for
many older adults," says Dr. Susan Vandermorris, a
psychologist in the Memory and Aging Program and
Geriatric Assessment Clinic. "With the eLearning
program, we wanted to help older adults across
Canada and beyond take control of their memory
changes and optimize their brain health."
Elaine Singer noticed her memory was changing
as she was forgetting what people told her more
easily and misplacing items frequently around
her home. The 77-year-old knew that a worsening
memory is a part of aging, but she wanted to
know whether her experiences were normal or
signs of something concerning.
After completing Baycrest's Group Memory and Aging
Program (baycrest.org/MAP), one of the few gold-
standard, educational brain health workshops around
the world, Singer says she feels more confident and
comfortable with the changes she's going through.
"I've always had the view that my brain is basically
a series of filing cabinets," says Singer, a retired IT
analyst. "Right now, the files are getting a little mixed
up or in the wrong place. I was looking for how to get
the files and cabinets to work together again."
Developed by Baycrest's clinicians and researchers,
the clinically validated program provides older adults
with knowledge about how memory changes with age
and strategies to improve their ability to learn and
remember information. Says Singer: "The main thing
I learned was that this is just a part of aging, just like
my aches and pains, and how to deal with it."
"It has helped me feel a lot more comfortable to
realize that my memory hasn't gotten worse, it's just
a stressful time," she says. "Once I incorporated my
strategies and things calmed down, I remembered
more things."
For more information, visit baycrest.org/MAP
EDUCATION & RESOURCES
I've always had the view that my brain
is basically a series of filing cabinets.
Right now, the files are getting a little
mixed up or in the wrong place. I was
looking for how to get the files and
cabinets to work together again.
77-year-old Elaine Singer
