S u m m a r y

 

Suutama, T. & Ruoppila, I. (2008)

Test result and self-evaluation based changes in cognitive functioning between 65 and 90 years of age

Psykologia 43:408&endash;420. Vammala ISSN 0355-1067.

WChanges in cognitive functioning were investigated in a 16-year longitudinal study among elderly persons. The subjects were 65 to 74 years old in the baseline phase in 1988 (n=635), 73 to 82 years old in the first follow-up in 1996 (n=410) and 81 to 90 years in the second follow-up in 2004 (n=220). In different phases, about 80_90% of the subjects completed the assessments methods of cognitive functioning. The test method used was the Mini-D-test, developed from a more comprehensive method based on Luria's neuropsychological theory. Subjects gave self-evaluations of their memory, learning ability and mental agility and changes in them. They also evaluated their memory difficulties in various matters. The Mini-D-test scores declined during the follow-ups. However, about 40% of the subjects maintained their baseline level of performance. There were no differences between men and women. Few differences were observed between sexes in the self-evaluations, which were slightly more negative in the follow-ups than in the baseline phase. Self-rated memory difficulties were most common in names (83_93% experienced them at least to some extent) and least common in prearranged meetings (6_26%). Difficulties did not increase significantly during the follow-up period. There were big great interindividual differences in the level of cognitive functioning and in changes in it cognitive functioning among the elderly subjects. These differences became even bigger greater with increasing age.

 

Key words: Cognitive functioning, memory difficulties, longitudinal study, elderly people

 

Timo Suutama, PhD, Senior assistant, Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014 University of Jyväskylä

Isto Ruoppila, PhD, Professor emeritus, Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014 University of Jyväskylä