Impact in Everyday Life
anxiety
AIDS
Responses reflecting the application of the course knowledge and strategies in everyday life were received from 63% (43/68) of participants who completed the booster session. All respondents indicated that participation in OPTIMiSE was beneficial and that the knowledge and strategies taught in the course were applicable to their everyday lives. Many participants reported reduced anxiety about memory concerns and an associated increase in self-confidence related to memory ability in everyday situations. Responses indicated that this reduced level of worry stemmed from an improved understanding about memory, how it works, and how it changes throughout life, in addition to knowing practical memory strategies that can be deployed in real-life situations. The specific strategies mentioned most often by participants as being useful included using external memory aids, staying calm and not worrying about memory issues when they occur, and actively concentrating when taking in information. The responses suggested that OPTIMiSE also served to reinforce participants’ existing memory strategies, specifically using external memory aids and keeping important objects in a specific place. Although the use of external memory aids was the most-nominated useful strategy, no particular strategy emerged as being the most (or least) useful for most participants. Several participants stated that not all strategies were especially relevant to their own personal needs. For instance, the use of acronyms was mentioned by several participants as not being particularly useful, whereas others found this strategy applicable and effective in more structured learning, such as learning a new language. More details related to the impact of OPTIMiSE on everyday life, including both successful and unsuccessful strategies, are presented in 