40 aged residents of a dependent care facility were tested on a series of cognitive conservation tasks. A decrement toward lowered levels of cognitive functioning was noted but specific psycho-social factors were related to this decline. Length of residence in dependent context and involvement in socialization and leisure activities were significantly related to level of cognitive functioning and were independent of sex. However, attained educational level was positively related to cognitive conservation for females but not for males. Analysis of qualitative responses to tasks suggests important considerations.
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