American Psychological Association
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Facts
About Aging
Changes
in Mental Health and Mental Processes
Demographic,
Economic, and Social Issues
Older
Minorities
Physical
Changes
Psychological Problems of Older Adults
Older
Americans Behind the Wheel
Aging:
Myth vs. Fact
Conclusion
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Cognitive
changes, which are associated with mental processes such
as sensation and perception, memory, intelligence,
language, thought, and problem-solving, occur among aging
adults.
- Because it may take older adults
more time to encode, store, and retrieve
information, the rate at which new information is
learned can be slower among aging adults, and
older adults often have a greater need for
repetition of new information. Although it may
take older adults longer to input and retrieve
new information, daily occupational and social
functioning among those over age 65 is not
impaired.
- Long-term memory shows substantial
changes with age, while short-term memory shows
less age-related decline.
- Most aspects of language ability
remain strong, yet word-finding ability declines
with age. Three-dimensional drawing similarly
declines with age.
- Wisdom and creativity often
continue to the very end of life.
- Overall prevalence of mental
disorders in older adults is less than in any
other age group, and general life satisfaction
among older Americans is as good as, if not
better, than any other age group.
 
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