Cognitive plasticity, cognitive functioning and quality of life (QoL) in a simple of Young-old and old-old adults in southern Spain

Abstract

The present study was designed to assess the differences in cognitive plasticity, cognitive functioning and quality of life (QoL) in young-old and old old adults, and to determine whether variables related to QoL can predict cognitive plasticity in old age. The study population consisted of 215 people living in sheltered accommodation for elderly people in southern Spain. Participants were divided into two groups according to age: young-old aged (between 65 and 80 years) and old-old (81 and above). Participants were assessed by means of cognitive performance tests, a QoL questionnaire, and the auditory verbal learning test-learn ing potential (AVLT-LP) as a measure of cognitive plasticity. No significant differences were found in cogni tive plasticity between the young-old and old-old adults, although the former performed better on immediate and sustained verbal recall. Likewise, no significant inter-group differences arose in most of the QoL variables. However, differences in cognitive plasticity did appear as a function of the level of cognitive functioning of the old adults, and cognitive functioning has been shown to be the best pre dictor of cognitive plasticity in old age. Differences in cognitive plasticity between young-old and old-old adults only appear when the cognitive functioning of individuals is taken into account, rather than their age group. The variables cognitive func tioning, social integration and education level appear to be the best predictors of cognitive plasticity in old age.