Impact on Society



Cognition Impact on Society

Memory difficulties can have detrimental effects on independence and quality of life of older adults.


Statistics

There are a great number of older adults that may be affected by memory changes. People who are impacted include: Memory Decline

In normal aging, older adults experience memory related changes that are not necessarily harmful (e.g., slowing down of cognitive processing, memory lapses). Memory lapses that are considered to be normal for older adults (i.e., not necessarily indicative of diagnosed impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease) include misplacing items, becoming distracted, and having difficulty finding words to use in conversations. Notwithstanding these memory difficulties (i.e., memory difficulties with complex tasks, multi-tasking, distraction, or memory lapses) older adults are still considered to have healthy or normal cognition in normal aging.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious decline of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Some of the symptoms of MCI might include an increase in: a) forgetting events (e.g., appointments); b) losing train of thought; or c) having difficulty making decisions. Notwithstanding the presence of symptoms, people with MCI are usually still able to remain independent and perform activities of daily living.

Literature for Alzheimer’s disease discusses symptoms of decline in general stages: a) mild stage (e.g., some memory loss for recent events); b) moderate stage (e.g., persistent memory loss, difficulty recognising friends); and c) severe stage (e.g., inability to perform many activities of daily living independently). Nevertheless, there is much variability among people with Alzheimer’s disease and decline can occur at different rates.


References

Alzheimer's Association. (2016a). Aging, Memory Loss and Dementia: What’s the difference? Retrieved April 1, 2016, from www.alz.org/mnnd/documents/aging_memory_loss_and_dementia_what_is_the_difference.pdf

Alzheimer's Association. (2016c). Stages of Alzheimer's. Retrieved April 1, 2016, from www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_stages_of_alzheimers.asp

Alzheimer Society. (2013). Dementia Overview. Retrieved April 1, 2016, from www.alzheimerlondon.ca/about-dementia

Baycrest. (2016). Living with MCI. Retrieved June 1, 2016, from www.baycrest.org/about/publications/healthcare-professionals/living-with-mci

Bayles, K. (2013). In Tomoeda C. K. (Ed.), MCI and alzheimer's dementia clinical essentials for assessment and treatment of cognitive-communication disorders. San Diego: San Diego : Plural Publishing, Inc.

Li, H., Li, J., Li, N., Li, B., Wang, P., & Zhou, T. (2011). Cognitive intervention for persons with mild cognitive impairment: A meta- analysis. Ageing Research Reviews, 10(2), 285-296. doi:10.1016/j.arr.2010.11.003

Logie, R. L., Law, A., Trawley, S., & Nissan, J. (2010). Multitasking, working memory and remembering intentions. Psychologica Belgica, 50(3-4), 309-326. doi:10.5334/pb-50-3-4-309

McDaniel, M. A., & Einstein G. O. (2007). Prospective memory an overview and synthesis of an emerging field. Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles: SAGE Publications.

Ramage-Morin, P. L., Shields, M., & Martel, L. (2010). Health-promoting factors and good health among Canadians in mid- to late life. Health Reports, Catalogue no. 82-003-X.

Sherman, C. (2011). Why Working Memory May Fade. Retrieved April 1, 2016, from www.dana.org/News/Details.aspx?id=43176

Statistics Canada. (2015). The Canadian Population in 2011: Age and Sex. Retrieved April 1, 2016, from www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/as-sa/98-311-x/98-311-x2011001-eng.cfm

Yam, A., & Marsiske, M. (2013). Cognitive Longitudinal Predictors of Older Adults’ Self-Reported IADL Function. Journal of Aging and Health, 25(8 0), 10.1177/0898264313495560. http://doi.org/10.1177/0898264313495560