Transcript Cognitive Processes Chapter 4

Cognitive Processes
Chapter 4
HPR 452
Cognitive Abilities
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Fear of loss of memory and inability to learn are feared
These losses have impact on independence and functioning
Components of cognitive functioning identified by CDC and Alzheimer’s
Association (2007)
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Language
Thought
Memory
Executive Function (ability to plan and carry out tasks)
Judgment
Attention
Perception
Skills such as driving
Ability to lead a purposeful life
Competence is the Cornerstone of
Ulyssean Living
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Managing finances
Taking medications
Shopping
Using the phone
Housekeeping chores
Transporting oneself
Preparing meals
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Losses do not imply deficit of functioning
Variability in these just as physical abilities
Environmental support
“Use it or lose it” concept
Generally losses are too minimal to have significant
impact on quality of life
Some aging individuals dwell on the losses which
could make the effect more debilitating for them
Intelligence
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Inferred from actions and behaviors – performance
Crystallized intelligence – reflecting culturally based
and general knowledge
Fluid intelligence – based on ability to reason,
categorize and sort information, (mechanical
component of intelligence)
Crystallized grows with age and fluid deteriorates
Fluid can be improved through training
Abilities that underlie human
intelligence
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Verbal (vocabulary)
Spatial orientation – relating to 3 dimensions
Inductive reasoning (essential in problem-solving)
Numeric abilities (addition and subtraction)
Perceptual speed
Verbal memory (recalling what has been read)
Great variation in loss between and among aging
individuals
Practical Intelligence
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“Knowing how” rather than “knowing that”
Comes from experience and measured in real life
rather than in a laboratory
Cross-sectional studies comparing cohorts have
shown that intelligence increases until early
adulthood, plateaus until 4th decade and decreases 5th
decade on – Could be due to changes in educational
system and cultural values rather than actual losses
Longitudinal studies show slight decline in some
areas and improvements in others during aging
Back to Selective Optimization with
Compensation
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Strategy of mastery that permits effective
management of one’s aging despite age-associated
losses in mental and physical reserves
Focus on strengths, practice and use remaining
abilities and find compensatory mechanisms when
needed
Surgeon General reported 4 variables crucial
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Education, strenuous activity at home, peak pulmonary
flow rate, self-efficacy (belief in ability)
Ulyssean Approach
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Cognitive training (memory, association, etc)
Leisure activities such as crossword puzzles, jigsaw
puzzles linked to maintaining fluid and crystallized
intelligence – Cognitive stimulation
Allow time – speed vs effective
Education on cardiovascular health
Eradicate myths of declines during aging – selffulfilling prophecies
Social interaction important
Learning and memory
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Fear and anxiety of loss plays major role
Memory lapses cause anxiety and fear
When is memory loss a problem? We all
forget things
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Forgetting how to make change, use the phone,
find your way home, etc – problem
Learning = process of encoding info into memory
Memory = retrieving the information
Memory
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Sensory – through sight, sound, smell – very short
processing period
Primary – processed, labeled and prepared to be sent
to secondary memory – if not used or given further
meaning it is displace (short-term memory)
Secondary – Encoded, given meaning, and organized
into a concept for prolonged memory – sent back to
short-term memory when needed – if it can’t be
retrieved it is considered forgotten (long-term
memory)
Older individuals have difficulty with encoding and
retrieving
Other forms of “Memory”
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Remote Memory – “old” or “tertiary” memory –
recalling memories from the distant past
Explicit Memory – conscious recollection of facts
(i.e., names, phone numbers, directions)
Implicit Memory – capacity to learn skills and
procedures – relies on previously learned skills –
doesn’t rely on conscious recollection (i.e., riding a
bike, dancing, playing sports) area of the brain
responsible for motor activities is involved
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Working Memory – ability to do 2 things at
once – (i.e., subtract 2 large numbers in your
head – remembering the numbers while
subtracting)
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AAMI – age-associated memory impairment is viewed as
normal part of aging – approx 40% over 65 have some AAMI
Recall vs. Recognition
Retrieval is impaired
Relevance – is it important to me?
Medications impair memory
Also depression, dehydration, nutrition, thyroid problems,
stress, infection, sleep deprivation, emotional problems, etc
Ulyssean Approach
Environmental support
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Face the individual
Speak slowly and keep tone of voice low
Present 1 idea at a time
Focus on concrete rather than abstract
Provide sufficient time for them to answer
Keep distractions to a minimum
Variety of cues (auditory, visual, tactile)
Connect new learning to things in the past
Use creative teaching strategies
Internal and external aids
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Associating a name with an unusual feature
Associating terms with list of letters or
acronyms
String around finger
Medication next to coffee pot
Agendas, lists, calendars, written medication
schedules, technology, repetition, medication,
social support/encouragement, exercise
How can we help?
Encourage…
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Learn a new skill
Volunteering
Social interaction
Memory tools
Adequate sleep and rest
Exercise
Limit alcohol use
Reduce stress
Activities such as puzzles
Medical help for depression and other health problems
Creativity
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Can turn an old person into a young person
Creativity declines with age
Enthusiasm and originality are replaced with
experience and sophistication
Adapting to physical changes and social losses may
represent the ultimate challenge to creativity – no
prizes because it is done gradually
Retirement can open doors to creativity
The need for creativity never ends
Ulyssean Approach
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Provide encouragement and opportunities
Assess past skills and encourage renewing the
skills
Propose thought provoking questions
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Name 5 inventions which haven’t been invented
List 10 ways to use scotch tape
Describe 3 new uses for a computer