Recovery and compensatory strategies in head injured memory impaired people several years after insult.

A follow up study of 29 patients with traumatic head injury who were referred for memory therapy five to 10 years earlier is described. Of the original sample, 28 were traced, one had died, and one refused to take part, thus leaving 26 subjects who were seen and reassessed. Most (21) were living in their own homes with relatives, friends or alone; the others were in long term residential care or residential college or in warden controlled accommodation. Eleven subjects were in paid employment, although only one was in a position comparable to pre-injury status. On a standardised memory test some 58% of subjects showed no change since their last assessment several years earlier; 31% improved; and 11% deteriorated. The most encouraging finding was that subjects were using more memory aids and strategies now than before or at the end of their rehabilitation programme.