Mental Functioning in Healthy Older People

Linda Williams-Erdahl (MA Psychol)

"I can remember things from the past better than recent events."....

"It takes me so much longer now to get the hang of something new."...

"Sometimes if I wait a while, I'll remember something that I wanted to recall."

Do any of these statements sound familiar? Often people focus on the changes they notice in themselves or others as they age, and wonder whether or not those changes are a normal part of growing older. It is only in the last 25 years or so that scientists have tried to understand the normal development of thinking, learning, and remembering in adults. Many myths or false ideas still exist about normal cognition in healthy seniors. It is important to overcome these myths so that society can expect and enable older people to live to their fullest.

Research Findings

Growing older means all your mental abilities will automatically decline, just like every other old person's does. Myth or truth?

In a fascinating research project in Seattle, Washington, a large number of people were studied over a period of time. The study was set up so that individuals could be compared to themselves as they grew older, and groups of seniors of different ages could be compared to each other, also.

The psychologists were interested in seeing how age might alter people's ability to understand language, spatial orientation, and inductive reasoning, and use numbers and words. The people involved in the study were average people, and some were healthy while others developed illnesses during the project.

The results were so surprising that a debate started which lasted for many years and many more research projects! The Seattle Longitudinal Study showed that:

60-85% of all participants remained stable in their mental abilities, or improved in some specific ability

the pattern of decline in abilities was highly variable, even up to 81 years of age the current participants did better on tests, compared to how seniors did several decades earlier individuals can often maintain or improve their mental functioning with specific training and practise

These results were so important because they challenged the myth that aging is associated with a universal and irreversible decline in mental abilities. Not all old people showed decline. Virtually no one showed decline in all areas of ability studied, and everyone maintained some area of cognitive strength. The idea that aging was genetically programmed was questioned. It became excitingly clear that "you can teach old dogs new tricks."

Some of the other findings that describe normal changes in people's mental abilities as they age are that speed may be lost but quality can be maintained. There is general agreement among scientists that older people perceive the world around them more slowly than younger adults. They also think and respond more slowly. However, the quality of their thoughts is maintained until 80-85 years of age when they are asked about things or activities that are well known to them.

The wisdom of elders has been valued throughout the ages, but in our rapidly changing world young people sometimes aren't interested in the things that seniors have most knowledge of. Earlier research suggested that older people showed a decline in their ability to adapt to new situations, or be creative in solving problems. Recently though, new information suggests that seniors can be trained in problem solving . It takes older people longer to learn, and their memory is less efficient and effective than younger adults, but once a senior learns something new it is learned well.

Normal vs Abnormal Mental Aging

Although most people will age in a normal fashion, some people develop diseases which affect their mind. About 1.4% of Canadians aged 65-69 will develop some type of dementia (cognitive decline which lasts over time and interferes with daily life). The numbers increase as people age, so that about 11% of 70-85 year olds, and 39% of 90 + year olds develop dementia. Dementia is not a normal part of aging.

How can you tell the difference between normal and abnormal mental functioning? It is normal to forget details such as dates or names, to remember something later on, and use notes or reminders to jog your memory. In comparison, it is not normal to forget entire experiences, to be unable to recall things at all, and to be unable to read or use memory aids. It is normal to go into the kitchen and forget what you went for. It is abnormal to forget it's your kitchen! Most often, worry and fear of loosing one's memory is more devastating than the change in memory itself.

Tips to Improve Mental Functioning

General attitudes:

Societal and Environmental Supports:

Techniques to Enhance Learning and Memory:

Individuals can -

Efforts by Others -

 Conclusion

Most people will continue to enjoy good mental functioning as they age, even well into their 80's. They will be able to learn new things, given interest and time. Decline in memory can be compensated for using effort and simple techniques. Their wisdom based on experience will remain a strength. Active involvement, although usually on a more selective basis, will help older people to maintain a sense of purpose which is very important in maintaining good mental function. As a society, we need to examine our expectations of older people, as we may well be creating a "self-fulfilling prophecy" of either significant decline or selected growth in the abilities of older adults.