Research | Baycrest

Amnesia is the permanent disruption of memory due to a neurological event or illness. The most disabling aspects of amnesia involve prospective memory (the capacity to perform a task in the future) and episodic memory (the capacity to consciously recollect an event from the past). Memory changes of this sort rob individuals of their independence and create stress and burden for families. There is a cluster of preserved memory systems in amnesia capable of accumulating new information. One such system is procedural memory. Memory-Link taps into this system to teach amnesic individuals the skill sets necessary to utilize electronic memory-aids (SmartPhones). Treatment is customized and addresses the entire spectrum of cognitive, occupational and social challenges that arise in amnesia.

The service is intended for adults with severe memory problems related to

• Stroke
• Anoxia
• Infection
• Hydrocephalus
• Herpes encephalitis
• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
• Tumor

Memory-Link is packaging knowledge gained from twenty years experience into a model of service delivery suitable for sharing with other local, national, and international centers. It will reflect contemporary communications practices and will integrate participatory technologies such as blogs, and other collaboration and communication systems, into its training, knowledge dissemination, outreach, and client support.  This service, research and educational environment will be a welcoming destination that will encourage clients, families and healthcare professionals dealing with memory impairment  to “look inside” Memory-Link for answers and guidance.