ABSTRACT
Most older individuals complain of occasional memory lapses, sometimes referred to colloquially as “senior moments” or “tip-of-the-tongue” experiences. Although these lapses are normal occurrences across the age span, they increase in frequency as a person ages (Brown & Nix, 1996). In fact, mild declines in memory processing speed and efficiency and other cognitive skills have been found to be normal age-associated changes (Schaie, 2005). Research has shown, however, that while such normal changes in memory may be noticeable and bothersome, they may have little practical effect on daily function. Older individuals can draw upon a knowledgebase of facts and experiences accumulated over a lifetime as part of their memory skills. They can also compensate for or even reverse mild declines in memory through the use of mnemonics (e.g., lists, calendars, memorizing techniques), mentally stimulating activities, and cognitive training (Ball et al., 2002; Willis et al., 2006). However, other aged individuals demonstrate more pronounced cognitive deficits, which are comprised in a syndrome known as mild cognitive impairment or MCI. Ongoing research emphasizes the importance of early screening and intervention for these individuals, since MCI may be for many of them a transitional state to Alzheimer's disease (AD) or other forms of dementia.
