The influences of cognitive resources on adaptation and old age

Int J Aging Hum Dev. 1992;34(1):31-46. doi: 10.2190/T3FB-V3XE-L057-1WM3.

Abstract

In the Georgia Centenarian Study, cognitive resources were estimated by fluid and crystallized intelligence, acquisition and retrieval of new information, retrieval of familiar information, and problem-solving ability in community-dwelling and nondemented adults ranging from sixty to one hundred plus years of age. Five clusters of results were found: 1) cognitive performances were lower for the older cohorts; 2) when cognitive activities were dependent on everyday experiences, no age-related problem-solving decline was found; 3) physical health and mental health can significantly influence cognitive performances; 4) cognitive and personality factors can combine to account for a larger amount of adaptation variance than can be accounted for by either of the factors alone; and 5) individuals with a high level of intelligence and affect sustain their instrumental activities of daily living. Cognitive resources were an important contributor to successful adaptation for the oldest-old.

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / psychology*
  • Cognition*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Georgia
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Intelligence
  • Memory
  • Mental Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Psychological
  • Morale
  • Problem Solving*