6/28/2004
desjardins/honig COGNITION
84
Intelligence in Older Adults
•Overall, mental ability increases with age.
–A bright 20 year old will be a bright 70 year old
•Around age 70, the loss of biological potential is
evident but offset by acquired
wisdom, experience and knowledge
(crystallized intelligence).
•There is no uniform pattern of age-related changes for
all intellectual abilities,
nor is there a consistent decline in all elders.
•Physical fitness, especially cardiovascular fitness,
helps maintain intellectual
functioning.
•Intellectual exercises (crossword puzzles, writing, continuing education) may also help maintain function.