Three most important influences on cognitive functioning in late adulthood

Question:
Why is education, work, and health the three most important influences on cognitive functioning in late adulthood?

Answer:

In late adulthood, people tend to do some kind of "Life review" which involves looking back on one’s life experiences and evaluating them. Interestingly, older adults report experiencing more positive emotion and less negative emotion... Hence, I guess they often review on their level of education, their working experience and having good health keeps their life sustained...I think health is the most important aspect, not just for them, but for all ages.

Answer 2:
Education has important influence on cognitive function in late adulthood because research evidence shows that higher cognitive ability in 79-year-olds was linked to more years of education (Gow & others, 2008). There are many reasons as to why older adults seek further education, most of which involves helping them to cope with or adapting to the ever-changing society, which means through education they learn how tow effective use their limited resources on selective tasks.

Work is another important influence as research suggests that exposure to complex environments increases intellectual functioning (Kempermann, Kuhn, & Gage, 1997). The increasingly complex and technology oriented demand in jobs today help with cognitive functioning in older adults, as the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. As people delay their retirement, in order to compete in the job market, continuous training in different disciplines on the job help with cognitive functioning.

Lastly, health is important to cognitive functioning in older adults because some of the diseases more common among older adults, such as hypertension and diabetes are linked to cognitive dropoffs, though not mental decline (Santrock). Some other disease related to life-style preference, such as overeating, inactivity and stress, are related to mental decline, so is mental disorders. These diseases are inter-related, as people get older and also get sick more frequently or severely, people tend to get more gloomy, which leads to inactivity and stress. This inhibits one's cognitive ability as one feels stuck and cannot engage in more meaningful cognitive activities, such as enjoying a game of chess or go golfing.


Further thoughts: If late adulthood populations report experiencing less negative emotions, how do you account for males in that population having the highest suicidal success rates? Do all cognitive functions decline with age? Are there some functions that increase?


Answer 3:
Although for some aging adults there can be a decline in language skills, however for many, knowledge of words and word meanings continues unchanged or may even improve in late adulthood.

It is imperative that the aging population 'use it or loose it.' As they continue to read, attend lectures, do crossword puzzles, and engage in other intellectual endeavours it will be to their advantage, enhance their well being.


Answer 4: The older adult most likely to commit suicide is a male who lives alone, has lost his spouse, and is experiencing failing health. (pg 575) Men typically don't do well alone or widowed. In one study widows showed depressive states two years after the spouse had died. Add poor health to that with minimal support it isn't surprising they are taking their life. However, if you add good social support and being socially integrated into the community the person does much better.

Even when we looked at those who retired with healthy well-being, were those who had good health, good social network, good finances, good satisfaction with their lives before retiring.


Further question: What could be done for old people who are reserved and anti-social?

Answer 5:
Family members could play a positive role here. If the person didn't have family, ideally there would be a network in place that could check up on the newly widowed to see how they are doing. They could build a relationship with and advise accordingly. Does Hong Kong social services offer anything like this? I know the social workers are overloaded but just wondering.

Social support is very important in late adulthood, especially when "children" leave home. We may experience empty-nest syndrome later!

I don't think that Hong Kong Government do a good job for the elderly. However, many churches form fellowships for them, which I think, providing a good social gathering and network for the elderly.

Social services in Hong Kong is overloaded, but as more people live longer, the aging problem in Hong Kong population will become more serious. I know that recently, there are new options such as better-equipped nursing homes run by non-profit or religious organizations for taking care of older adults who need special attentions. Some of them provide home-life environments instead of the traditional institutional setting, so to make it more comfortable for older adults to enjoy community life and necessary medical attention in familiar, friendly environments. This expansion of the scope and nature of services to older adults is beneficial to the society as a whole. The fact that most Hong Kong people have long working hours, it is difficult for them to provide sufficient social and physical support to older adults at home. This new type of nursing home provides an economic option for middle-income families to fulfill their duties at work and with their children while provides good care to the older adults.

Do you know of any other social support models available worldwide that can be applicable to Hong Kong?


Word knowledge stays the same and often increases with age because we are continually exposed to and use language, and as language is evolving (new technology words for example: internet, blog, webcam, online etc.) our vocabulary evolves. Knowing your community social support systems will be imperative if working with this population. There are many support models in the USA. Two that come to mind in the US are Medicaid and Medical. They are government programs that assist retired and disabled individuals with aspects of their medical concerns (hospital, prescriptions, doctor visits, etc). They can be limiting with many restrictions, but for many it is the only medical assistance available due the high cost of purchasing insurance without employment insurance plans.


Answer 6:
People are living longer and I too believe that this will become a larger problem in HK. As many HK people have their parents living with them, I wonder if there will also be a movement for people to put their parents in longer term care facilities. I know the Jockey Club in HK has sponsored one in Aberdeen that is considered to be quite good. It is along term care for the aged. But yes knowing what is available to us is vital for referral, as Donica has mentioned. I know in Canada, there is medical support for people to receive help from nurses. They make home visits. It is believed to helpful as it allows the aged to remain at home but also get the help they need. Does anyone know if there is this type of help available in Hong Kong?

Answer 7:
I also know that there is a Bradbury Hospice Nursing Home, which is run by the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong, yet the development was sponsored by Bradbury Foundation and built by the Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care in Hong Kong. Although it is only for terminally ill patients, but most terminally ill patients are elderly, so it serves a fragment of the older population in Hong Kong.

Below is the website of the Bradbury Hospice.

http://www.ha.org.hk/bbh/introhist.htm