Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood

Essie is an 86-year-old woman who tries to function independently but has suffered for several years with forgetfulness, especially with recent memories. She has trouble finding her car in the parking lot after grocery shopping. The store managers have called her children to come and help her. She has been known to forget her way home at times. Her children worry that she may have a form of dementia called ________.

Alzheimer's disease

working memory:

a cognitive system with a limited capacity that is responsible for temporarily holding information available for processing

According to Salthouse's processing theory of cognitive aging, ________ causes a decline in memory functioning.

a slower processing speed

delirium:

an abrupt change in the brain that causes mental confusion and emotional disruption. It makes it difficult to think, remember, sleep, pay attention, and more

Alzheimer's disease:

an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks

dementia:

an umbrella category for neurocognitive disorders, characterized by progressive and gradual cognitive deficits due to severe cerebral atrophy

A large generational divide involves the use of technology. A 70 year old is less likely to use technology than a 20 year old. Research shows that some of this difference may be explained by a decline in attention and memory that occurs as we age. What kind of age related change would describe this limitation?

cognitive

A temporary condition in which individuals experience a disturbance in attention and awareness, is referred to as

delirium

Research has shown that among the elderly, divided attention impairments are significantly associated with ________.

increased automobile accidents in older adults

long-term memory:

the storage of information over an extended period

Joe is 70 years old and recalls names of teachers or classmates from when he was an adolescent, but has difficulty remembering information presented quickly and orally, such as complicated instructions. Which type of memory capacity decline is he demonstrating?

working memory