Topic: Health

Researchers at Yale found that nearly half of adults over 65 showed measurable improvements in cognitive function, physical function, or both. This challenges common assumptions about aging.

Cognitive and Physical Improvement with Positive Age Beliefs

A recent study published by researchers from the Yale School of Public Health has found that many older adults experience improvement in their cognitive and physical abilities as they age. The study analyzed data from over 11,000 participants in the Health and Retirement Study, a federally funded long-term survey of older Americans.

The researchers used two measures to evaluate changes in mental abilities: a global cognitive assessment and walking speed. Participants were followed for up to 12 years. During this period, 45% showed improvement in at least one of these areas. Approximately 32% improved cognitively, while 28% improved physically.

The study's lead author, Becca R. Levy, notes that many people equate aging with an inevitable and continuous loss of physical and cognitive abilities. However, the findings suggest that improvement in later life is not rare, it's common, and it should be included in our understanding of the aging process.

The researchers also explored why some older adults improved while others did not. They found that age beliefs held at the beginning of the study were a significant predictor of improvement. Older adults with more positive beliefs about aging were significantly more likely to improve in both cognitive performance and walking speed.

These findings have important implications for our understanding of aging and how we can promote healthy aging. As Levy notes, 'Our findings suggest there is often a reserve capacity for improvement in later life, and because age beliefs are modifiable, this opens the door to interventions at both the individual and societal level.'

Why It Matters

This study matters because it shows that older adults can improve with age, which challenges common assumptions about aging. This has important implications for our understanding of healthy aging and how we can promote positive aging.

Key Facts

• The study found that nearly half of adults over 65 showed measurable improvements in cognitive function, physical function, or both.
• The researchers used a global cognitive assessment and walking speed to evaluate changes in mental abilities.
• Participants were followed for up to 12 years, during which time 45% showed improvement in at least one area.
• Older adults with more positive beliefs about aging were significantly more likely to improve in both cognitive performance and walking speed.
• The study's findings have important implications for our understanding of healthy aging and how we can promote positive aging.

Key Terms

Cognitive function

The ability to think, learn, and remember.

Implications

This study matters because it shows that older adults can improve with age, which challenges common assumptions about aging. This has important implications for our understanding of healthy aging and how we can promote positive aging.