Aging Gracefully: Cognitive Resilience in the Elderly

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36676/jrps.v15.i2.06

Keywords:

Aging, cognitive resilience, social supports, neurobiological, lifestyle habits, psychosocial

Abstract

Aging is an inexorable phenomenon characterized by a range of transformations, encompassing modifications in cognitive capacities. Memory deterioration is frequently linked to the process of aging; nevertheless, it is important to note that the degree and pace of this decrease vary among individuals. This variety highlights the notion of cognitive resilience, whereby specific individuals sustain cognitive function throughout their elderly years despite potential risk factors for deterioration. Comprehending the factors that influence cognitive resilience in older adults is of utmost importance in order to devise therapies that foster optimal aging and improve overall well-being. This research paper examines the complex and diverse characteristics of cognitive resilience in the elderly population, investigating its importance, underlying processes, and potential impact on the process of aging in a positive manner. This study seeks to provide a thorough examination of the current body of literature and propose novel research methodologies in order to further understand the determinants of cognitive resilience and suggest effective approaches to cultivate it. Our objective is to provide insight into this subject matter in order to contribute to the development of public health policies and interventions that are specifically designed to promote cognitive well-being among older individuals. This will ultimately help alleviate the social impact of cognitive decline associated with aging.

References

Angevaare, M. J., Roberts, J., van Hout, H. P. J., Joling, K. J., Smalbrugge, M., Schoonmade, L. J., Windle, G., & Hertogh, C. M. P. M. (2020). Resilience in older persons: A systematic review of the conceptual literature. Ageing Research Reviews, 63(June), 101144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2020.101144

Fontes, A. P., & Neri, A. L. (2015). Resilience in aging: Literature review. Ciencia e Saude Coletiva, 20(5), 1475–1495. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232015205.00502014 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232015205.00502014

Legdeur, N., Badissi, M., Carter, S. F., De Crom, S., Van De Kreeke, A., Vreeswijk, R., Trappenburg, M. C., Oudega, M. L., Koek, H. L., Van Campen, J. P., Keijsers, C. J. P. W., Amadi, C., Hinz, R., Gordon, M. F., Novak, G., Podhorna, J., Serné, E., Verbraak, F., Yaqub, M., … Visser, P. J. (2018). Resilience to cognitive impairment in the oldest-old: Design of the EMIF-AD 90+ study. BMC Geriatrics, 18(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-018-0984-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-018-0984-z

Lima, G. S., Figueira, A. L. G., Carvalho, E. C. de, Kusumota, L., & Caldeira, S. (2023). Resilience in Older People: A Concept Analysis. Healthcare (Switzerland), 11(18). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11182491 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11182491

Peeters, G., Kok, A., De Bruin, S. R., Van Campen, C., Graff, M., Nieuwboer, M., Huisman, M., Van Munster, B., Van Der Zee, E. A., Kas, M. J., Perry, M., Gerritsen, D. L., Vreede-Chabot, E., The, A. M., Van Hout, H., Bakker, F. C., Achterberg, W. P., Van Der Steen, J. T., Smits, C., … Olde Rikkert, M. (2023). Supporting Resilience of Older Adults with Cognitive Decline Requires a Multi-Level System Approach. Gerontology, 69(7), 866–874. https://doi.org/10.1159/000529337 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000529337

Stern, Y., Albert, M., Barnes, A. C., Cabeza, R., Pascual-Leone, A., & Rapp, R. P. (2023). A framework for concepts of reserve and resilience in aging. Neurobiology of Aging, 124, 100-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2022.10.015 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2022.10.015

Staal, M. A. (2004). Stress, Cognition, and Human Performance: A Literature Review and Conceptual Framework. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20060017835 (Accessed June 20, 2020).

Wilson, R. S., Arnold, S. E., Schneider, J. A., Kelly, J. F., Tang, Y., and Bennett, D. A. (2006). Chronic psychological distress and risk of Alzheimer’s disease in old age. Neuroepidemiology 27, 143–153. https://doi.org/10.1159/000095761 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000095761

Cacioppo, J. T., Hawkley, L. C., & Thisted, R. A. (2010). Perceived social isolation makes me sad: 5-year cross-lagged analyses of loneliness and depressive symptomatology in the Chicago Health, Aging, and Social Relations Study. Psychology and aging, 25(2), 453–463. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017216 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017216

Cohen, S., & Wills, T. A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychological bulletin, 98(2), 310–357. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.98.2.310 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0033-2909.98.2.310

Fratiglioni, L., Paillard-Borg, S., & Winblad, B. (2004). An active and socially integrated lifestyle in late life might protect against dementia. The Lancet Neurology, 3(6), 343–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(04)00767-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(04)00767-7

Hertzog, C., Kramer, A. F., Wilson, R. S., & Lindenberger, U. (2008). Enrichment effects on adult cognitive development: can the functional capacity of older adults be preserved and enhanced?. Psychological science in the public interest, 9(1), 1–65. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6053.2009.01034.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6053.2009.01034.x

Kuiper, J. S., Zuidersma, M., Zuidema, S. U., Burgerhof, J. G., Stolk, R. P., Oude Voshaar, R. C., & Smidt, N. (2015). Social relationships and cognitive decline: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies. International Journal of Epidemiology, 44(4), 1246–1257. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyw089 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyw089

Mausbach, B. T., Romero-Moreno, R., Bos, T., von Känel, R., & Ziegler, M. G. (2019). Positive and negative social support as predictors of overall and domain-specific functioning over time in dementia caregivers. The Gerontologist, 59(3), 534–544. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S249223 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S249223

Park, J., Moghaddam, B., & Nakamura, T. (2015). Potential role of social support in cognitive performance and well-being among immigrant older adults. Journal of cross-cultural gerontology, 30(2), 139–153. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2012.04178.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2012.04178.x

Seeman, T. E., Lusignolo, T. M., Albert, M., & Berkman, L. (2002). Social relationships, social support, and patterns of cognitive aging in healthy, high-functioning older adults: MacArthur studies of successful aging. Health Psychology, 21(3), 243–255. https://doi.org/10.1037//0278-6133.20.4.243 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0278-6133.20.4.243

Uchino, B. N. (2009). Understanding the links between social support and physical health: A life-span perspective with emphasis on the separability of perceived and received support. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4(3), 236–255. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6924.2009.01122.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6924.2009.01122.x

Wilson, R. S., Scherr, P. A., Schneider, J. A., Tang, Y., & Bennett, D. A. (2007). Relation of cognitive activity to risk of developing Alzheimer disease. Neurology, 69(20), 1911–1920. https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000271087.67782.cb DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000271087.67782.cb

Harada, C. N., Natelson Love, M. C., & Triebel, K. L. (2013). Normal cognitive aging. Clinics in geriatric medicine, 29(4), 737–752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cger.2013.07.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cger.2013.07.002

Bocancea, D. I., van Loenhoud, A. C., Groot, C., Barkhof, F., van der Flier, W. M., & Ossenkoppele, R. (2021). Measuring Resilience and Resistance in Aging and Alzheimer Disease Using Residual Methods: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Neurology, 97(10), 474–488. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000012499 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000012499

Angevaare, M. J., Roberts, J., van Hout, H. P. J., Joling, K. J., Smalbrugge, M., Schoonmade, L. J., … Hertogh, C. M. P. M. (2020). Resilience in older persons: A systematic review of the conceptual literature. Ageing Research Reviews, 101144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2020.101144 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2020.101144

Gijzel SMW, Whitson HE, Leemput IA, Scheffer M, Asselt D, Rector JL, et al. (2019). Resilience in Clinical Care: Getting a Grip on the Recovery Potential of Older Adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 67(12):2650–7 https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16149 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16149

Whitson HE, Crabtree D, Pieper CF, Ha C, Au S, Berger M, et al. (2021). A template for physical resilience research in older adults: Methods of the PRIME-KNEE study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 69(11):3232–41. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.17384 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.17384

Downloads

Published

15-04-2024

How to Cite

Saurav Uniyal. (2024). Aging Gracefully: Cognitive Resilience in the Elderly. International Journal for Research Publication and Seminar, 15(2), 34–44. https://doi.org/10.36676/jrps.v15.i2.06

Issue

Section

Original Research Article