ABSTRACT
The world’s population is aging rapidly, with the proportion of the population over 60 growing at a rate of around 2% per annum in the developed world (United Nations, 2009). In the most developed regions, 264 million people (21% of the population) were estimated to be 60 years and older in 2009, with this gure projected to increase to around 416 million (33% of the population) by the year 2050 (United Nations, 2009). A major societal health issue for an aging population is not only the greater incidence of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease but also the impact of normal age-related cognitive decline. Up to 50% of adults aged 64 and over have reported difculties with their memory (Reid and MacLullich, 2006). In response to the reality of an aging population, there has been increased research focus in recent years on the development of effective interventions that may ameliorate the declines in cognitive ability.
