Changes in Everyday Cognition with Aging

Age is a major risk factor for poor mental health. Neuroanatomical, physiological,
and psychological changes accompany the aging process. As a result of these changes,
older adults experience cognitive decline and often struggle to maintain their abilities and
engage in activities of daily living (Zaninotto et al., 2018). As we grow older, our
cognition changes as our brains shrink, and we become less able to focus or concentrate
for extended periods of time, as well as switch from one task to another quickly without
having to think about it again. However, these changes can also negatively impact our
well-being if we do not adjust accordingly.

The Anatomy of Cognition

Cognition is a complex interaction and exchange between the brain and the
environment. This includes both the processing of information and the interpretation of
self-as-experiencing. Cognition is dependent on many factors, including the state of the
brain and body, available information, expectations, and daily experiences (Bellmund et
al., 2018).
An important part of cognition is the structure of the brain. The structure of the
brain can change throughout an individual’s life as their experiences shape and reshape
the neurons in their brain. The most obvious change in the structure of the brain is that as
we age, the neurons that make up our neurons die and are replaced.

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Changes in Everyday Cognition with Aging

As we age, our cognition changes as our brains shrink, and we become less able
to focus or concentrate for extended periods of time. This is sometimes referred to as
cognitive decline. By the same token, however, we also experience cognitive
improvement as we age, which is not the same as cognitive decline, but it is the ability to
think faster, be more flexible, and more easily switch between tasks. This is often
referred to as cognitive agility.
Cognition can be viewed as being made up of two components: Cognitive decline,
which is the opposite of cognitive agility and is often linked with an increased risk of
depression and high levels of stress. These changes in cognition can lead to an increased
risk of dementia and other cognitive disorders. This is often referred to as cognitive
aging, and it is important to be aware that the risk of developing these conditions
increases with age.

1. Neuroanatomical and Neurophysiological Changes and their Impact on
   Cognition
   As we age, the process of cognition changes and can lead to a decline that has been
   linked to neuroanatomical and neurophysiological changes in the brain (Gur et al., 2022).
   These changes are often referred to as neuroplasticity, and they are linked to the ability of
   the brain to change and adapt to new experiences. This is essentially what enables us to
   learn and change our behavior. As we age, the ability to change and adapt to new
   experiences can be reduced. This is referred to as neuroplasticity and is linked to the risk
   of cognitive decline.

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2. Psychological Changes: Cognitive biases and Their Impact on Cognition
   Cognition can be thought of as how we perceive the world, how we make meaning from
   our experiences, and how we interact with and express our emotions. Cognitive biases are
   often linked to the psychological changes that occur with aging. Cognitive biases are
   linked to the way we perceive the world, how we make meaning from our experiences,
   and how we express our emotions. There are many cognitive biases that occur as a result
   of aging, and they often negatively impact the quality of life of older adults. These
   include age-related memory loss, difficulty with new tasks, and decreased attention and
   focus.
3. Personality Factors and Their Role in Cognition
   Many cognitive researchers are now exploring the role of personality factors in cognition.
   Personality factors are often linked with the way we perceive the world, how we make
   meaning from our experiences, and how we express our emotions. Personality factors are
   often linked to how we process information, and there are many studies that have found
   links between personality and cognitive function in older adults. Personality factors are
   also often linked to the neurophysiological changes that occur with aging.

How Culture Impacts Cognition in Older Adults

There is a great deal of research investigating how culture impacts cognition in
older adults. One important area of research examines how cultural norms and values
shape thinking and decision-making. For example, some studies have shown that people
from traditional Asian cultures are more likely to value harmony and consensus over

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individual achievement. As a result, these individuals may be less likely to take risks and
make decisions that might lead to success (Benson et al., 2020).
Another area of research investigates how exposure to different cultures can
improve cognitive function. For example, studies have shown that people who have lived
in countries with different cultures are better at recalling new information than people
who have only lived in their own country. This is likely due to the fact that exposure to
different cultures teaches people to think outside of their own cultural context. Overall,
the research suggests that culture can impact cognition in a number of ways. Ultimately,
this information will help healthcare providers better understand and care for older adults
who hail from different cultural backgrounds.

Ways that Memory, Thinking, and Cognition Change with Age
It is evident that there are significant changes that occur with cognition that involve
alteration in mental ability, thinking, and memory. The major cognitive changes
secondary to aging include changes in memory, emotional processing, executive
functioning, language skills, and attention.

1. Processing Speed
   Around the time we are in our late twenties, our cognition and processing speed begin to
   slow. This means that we are not as quick at problem-solving, planning, or being creative
   (Hughes et al., 2018). Additionally, it impacts our ability to multitask or focus on
   multiple things at once. This is normal, but it also means we may have to do a few things
   a bit differently as we get older. We can slow down our cognition by getting too many

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things done at once and not taking the time to do them one at a time or by not taking the
time to eat well and rest properly.

2. Memory
   The ability to remember what we learn and how we learn it also changes with age. Young
   people generally learn faster, have more complex neural networks, and can process
   information more quickly than the older population. As we age, our brains change, and
   our ability to process information decreases. Studies have found that people in their
   eighties have the same number of brain cells as a twenty-year-old, but their ability to
   process information decreases as a result of these changes.
3. Attention
    We also have less attention as we age. This means we have a harder time focusing on
   one thing and staying focused on that thing as well as other things. Our attention changes
   as we get older as a result of changes in the brain. The frontal lobe of the brain gets
   smaller and less active in the elderly. This is due to the fact that we have used this lobe
   less in our lives, and our frontal lobe is responsible for controlling attention.
4. Language Skills
   Our language skills also change as we get older. However, this is not the result of a
   decline in neural network function but rather due to the fact that our brains are less able
   to process information to make the sounds used to create language. This is a normal result
   as we get older.
5. Executive Functioning
   Our executive functioning skills are also impacted by age. Younger people are generally
   more adept at these skills and become more impaired as they get older. This includes

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things like planning, organizing, time management, and being able to problem-solve.
These skills are impacted by age partly because we have used them less in our lives and
partly because of the changes the brain makes with age.

6. Emotional Processing
   Finally, our ability to process emotions also changes as we get older. This generally
   declines for everyone because of the changes to the brain that impact emotional
   processing. This generally impacts how we express our emotions, how we understand the
   emotions of others and the way we deal with our own emotions.

The Link Between Cognition and Well-being in Older Adults
There is a clear link between cognitive function and well-being in older adults.
Poor cognitive function is strongly associated with declines in physical health, social
functioning, and overall quality of life (Lövdén et al., 2020). In fact, impairment in
cognitive function is one of the most important predictors of poor outcomes in older
adults.
There are several ways that cognitive function can be impaired in older adults.
One is through the age-related decline in memory and cognitive skills. Another is through
concurrent cognitive impairment, which is when a person has two or more mild to
moderate impairments in cognitive function.
There are many interventions that have been shown to improve cognitive function
and well-being in older adults. These interventions include exercise, brain training,
healthy eating, and social support. Overall, it is clear that cognitive function and well-
being are closely linked in older adults. The best way to maintain cognitive function and

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well-being in older adults is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and engage in regular
cognitive activities.
Other strategies that have been shown to improve cognitive function and reduce
the risk of reduced well-being include eating a healthy diet, maintaining social contacts,
and getting adequate sleep (Bae., 2020). Each of these activities has individual benefits
that can be paired together to create a comprehensive plan that will help improve
cognitive function and reduce the risk of reduced well-being in older adults.

Conclusion

Cognitive abilities atrophy as we age. When cognitive aging occurs, the mental
abilities and functions of an individual become less flexible and nimble, leading to a
significant loss of function. There are both neuroanatomical and neurophysiological
changes that increase the risk of developing a disorder with symptoms of declining
cognition. The factors affected by age that led to cognitive decline include changes in
memory, language skills, attention, emotional processing, and executive function.

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Benson, G. S., McIntosh, C. K., Salazar, M., & Vaziri, H. (2020). Cultural values and
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