Maintaining Independence in Everyday Life Among Seniors With Subjective Cognitive Complaints

The planned project explores the effects of several interventions designed to promote independence in everyday life, with older adults who identify cognitive complaints. Evidence suggests that 25-50% of community dwelling older adults report cognitive difficulties, such as reduced memory or concentration, in the absence of any diagnosed condition. Cognitive skills are crucial to living independently. The investigators plan to examine two approaches in a randomized controlled trial. Based on our successful pilot study, the investigators hypothesize that this training which combines education on healthy lifestyles and problem solving training to address everyday life difficulties, will be effective in maximizing and maintaining independence of older adults.

Inclusion criteria

• Community-dwelling older adults aged 60+
• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Have subjective cognitive complaints (SCC)
• Performance within normal limits on a neuropsychological assessment battery
• Participants must also be able to self-identify specific areas of difficulty in their everyday life that they would like to improve

Exclusion criteria

• Significant neurological or psychiatric history (e.g., multiple sclerosis, psychiatric illness requiring hospitalization)
• Concurrent depression
• Anaesthesia in previous 6 months; and substance abuse