A training apartment with a set of electronic memory aids for patients with cognitive problems

Abstract

The aims were to investigate whether patients with memory difficulties after acquired brain injury (ABI) are able to learn how to use a set of electronic memory aids integrated in a training apartment, and to use the same setting for identifying activities that these patients tend to forget among a predefined set of activities. This identification is done by using a computer system to register activities that are not performed, which the system is designed to act upon with reminders or alarms. During a stay of five days in the training apartment, 14 patients received training from an experienced occupational therapist to learn how to use the electronic memory aids. Significant improvements were found at group level in learning how to use the electronic memory aids. Computer registrations showed that the refrigerator and the stove were most challenging to remember. The total number of alarms and reminders as indication/measure of memory difficulties did not correlate with the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test scores in the individuals. These findings indicate the importance of a stay in a training apartment to examine whether or not patients have difficulties in everyday activities and to try out electronic memory aids that might support these difficulties before they are discharged from the rehabilitation clinic.