With notable increases in older adult populations, as well as with the associated cognitive impairments that can accompany aging, there is significant importance in identifying strategies to promote cognitive health. The current study explored the implementation of a positive reminiscence program (REMPOS), a non-pharmacological cognitive therapy that has been previously structured, defined, and tested in a Spanish sample. We sought to improve the quality of life of institutionalized older adults with healthy aging, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease by utilizing this protocol in these samples. A randomized design with a pre-post measure was conducted over a three-month period. Two types of interventions were used: the experimental groups received REMPOS, and the control groups underwent their regular daily institutional programming with cognitive stimulation techniques. After the intervention, the three experimental groups showed higher cognitive functioning, decreased depressive symptomatology (except for the MCI group) and higher evocation of specific positive memories (except for the MCI group). This study supports the effectiveness of REMPOS and reminiscence therapy, with regard to both cognitive and mood factors in cognitively impaired older adults.

IntroductionWe study from a multidimensional perspective the different factors that help prevent the development of cognitive impairment in old aging.MethodsThis study analyzed in 300 elderly subjects the relationship between cognitive reserve (CR), physical reserve (PR) and motivational reserve (MR) with cognitive impairment. This study also takes into consideration different variables (sex, age, educational level, and institutionalization) that might affect the results in the different types of reserves (CR, physical and MR) and cognitive impairment.ResultsThe results show that people with a higher cognitive reserve, physical reserve and motivational reserve have less cognitive impairment.DiscussionTherefore, it is important to consider measuring the CR as a variable to diagnose neurodegenerative illnesses but it is also essential to consider the physical state and physical activity, as well as the motivational dimension. With the cognitive reserve and sex variables no significant differences were observed. Age had a negative effect on strategic flexibility, but those with higher CR had better cognitive flexibility and the educational.

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En adultos mayores existe mayor prevalencia de deterioro o declive cognitivo y afectivo que la población más joven, por lo que, considerando la creciente población de adultos mayores, se precisa contar con mejores intervenciones que prevengan estas manifestaciones. En el presente estudio se planteó probar la eficacia del “Programa de reminiscencia positiva” (REMPOS), intervención no farmacológica, para el aumento de la calidad de vida de personas mayores en tres situaciones de envejecimiento. Se utilizó un diseño aleatorizado con medida pre-pos con grupo control en tres tipos de envejecimiento: saludable (n= 24), deterioro cognitivo leve (n= 22) y enfermedad de Alzheimer (n= 21). Los resultados mostraron que los grupos experimentales obtuvieron mejoras cognitivas, disminución de sintomatología depresiva, mayor evocación de recuerdos específicos positivos, y mayor satisfacción vital después de la intervención. Este trabajo amplía la evidencia de la eficacia de intervenciones sobre reminiscencia positiva a personas mayores en otros escenarios culturales y en diferentes realidades del proceso de envejecer.