ABSTRACT
Medical patients of all ages are frequently faced with complex information and decisions about medical conditions and treatment alternatives. The decisions that medical patients make have substantial implications for their future well-being and even their survival. As we age, we are increasingly involved in medical interactions and decisions. In fact, older adults consume a disproportionate amount of medical care and services relative to their presence in the population (Institute of Medicine, 1994, 1997). Although we know that cognitive function in later adulthood declines on a number of dimensions, the role played by differences in cognitive function between younger and older adults in comprehending and acting on medical information is poorly understood. In the present chapter, and indeed in this entire volume, we consider this important issue. This issue has far-reaching implications not only for individuals with health conditions but also for our entire society, as the consumption of health services becomes an increasingly significant factor in determining economic well-being in developed countries. Before we begin a detailed discussion of the role of age-related decline and cognitive function in medical interactions and decisions, let us consider the following two scenarios.
