Practical Memory Concerns in Oldest-Old Adults

Abstract

Numerous studies document age-related declines in memory using laboratory-based measures, yet little research exists on what older people might have to say about their memory in daily life. The present research examined how age-related memory changes are perceived, managed, remediated, and feared among 50 very old adults. Participants answered nine open-ended questions that tapped four complementary dimensions: memory self-efficacy, memory management, memory remediation, and fears about memory aging. Their oral responses were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative analyses were carried out on their narrative responses. Results yielded 4 core themes: (1) memory self-efficacy perceptions favored prospective remembering, (2) memory management strategies included frequent use of external memory aids, (3) affective consequences of forgetting concerned violated social conventions with improvement desired for remembering people's names, and (4) neurocognitive decline and loss of independence were salient memory-related fears. Implications of these data for promoting cognitive vitality in later life are discussed.