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18 Nov 2014
Brief

Cognitive Training for Older Adults: What Is It and Does It Work?

Alexandra Kueider, Krystal Bichay, and George Rebok

Older adults are more likely to fear losing their mental abilities than their physical abilities. But a growing body of research suggests that, for most people, mental decline isn’t inevitable and may even be reversible. It is now becoming clear that cognitive health and dementia prevention must be lifelong pursuits, and the new approaches springing from a better understanding of the risk factors for cognitive impairment are far more promising than current drug therapies. This brief analyzes the evidence.

Key Findings

  • Cognitive training can improve cognitive abilities. Dementia drugs cannot.
  • No single cognitive training program stands out as superior to others, but a group format based on multiple cognitive strategies seems the most promising.
  • Research comparing cognitive exercise approaches is still thin. Rigorous evaluation standards are needed.
  • Cognitive training could reduce healthcare costs by helping older individuals maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
  • No scientific evidence exists that cognitive training can prevent Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia or predementia, and more research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
PDF icon Cognitive Training for Older Adults: What Is It and Does It Work?

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Video

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Long Story Short: Is 65 Still a Good Policy Benchmark for Aging?

Sixty-five has long been a benchmark age for public programs such as Social Security and Medicare, but many experts question whether it should be changed for today's aging society. In this video interview, Marilyn Moon, AIR Institute Fellow and director of AIR's Center on Aging, explains whether 65 is still a good milestone for aging, health, and retirement.
Topic: 
Health, Aging

Further Reading

  • Long Story Short: How Effective is Cognitive Training?
  • Dementia Less Prevalent Among the More Highly Educated, Says Report Produced With Help From AIR Experts
  • AIR Experts on Aging to Present at the Gerontological Society of America’s 68th Annual Scientific Meeting
  • High School Personality and Dementia
  • Project Talent
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Aging

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Center on Aging

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