Memory training in the Centre for seniors called PATUP at the South Bohemia University, Faculty of Health and Social Studies

The theoretical part of the thesis is focused on the process of aging of cognitive functions, the brain, memory and its division, dementia syndrome, memory training and methods of memory training, the description of the Centre for the Elderly PATUP and courses of memory training. The main objective of the research part was to assess the courses of memory training in this centre at the faculty of Health and Social Studies of the University of South Bohemia. Partial objective 1 was to assess satisfaction of the elderly ? the participants - with the courses of memory training in the Centre for the Elderly PATUP. Partial objective 2 was to assess the courses of memory training from the trainers´ point of view. Partial objective 3 was to assess the courses of memory training in the Centre for the Elderly PATUP from the sponsor?s point of view. Partial objective 4 was to write a manual for memory trainers with a video recording with a sample lesson of the memory training course. To realize the research part of the thesis, qualitative research, the method of questioning, the technique of a semi-conducted interview and a technique of a focus group were applied. The research set consisted of 28 people who were divided according to the research questions in three groups ? memory trainers, the elderly (participants of the memory training courses) and the sponsor of the Centre for the Elderly PATUP. The research results, processed by SWOT analysis, showed clearly strong and weak points of the memory training courses and also showed recommendations from all respondents (the elderly, the trainers and the sponsor) leading to improvements of memory training courses. The thesis will contribute to creating methodology of the Centre for the Elderly PATUP and a methodological manual of MTC (memory training courses). The thesis also contributes to making MTC more efficient and will serve as educational material for memory trainers in the Centre for the Elderly PATUP