Question

what are 2 potential reasons for decline in processing with age? Explain what external and internal memory aids are and provide an example for each

Answer 1

The main theories that explain the cognitive decline associated with aging are the shrinking volume and degeneration. As age increases brain volume starts to reduce. This happens after age of 40 ( Up to 20 years brain expands in volume). Cortex areas began to shrink at this age which can contribute to cognitive decline. Blood flow also tends to decrease over age. As of degeneration, dendritic loss occurs. This is loss of neural connections. Extensions of neurons and its connection to adjacent neurons are lost. These all together decreases memory, ability to learn and slight decrease in general intelligence.

To cope with this decline in the cognitive abilities many interventions can be done. This can be either external aid or internal aid.

Internal aids include mental encoding and retrieval strategies. Mental encoding can be done through visual imagery, where the thing to remember is narrated as a visual image. Individual is trained to imagine the content to be remembered in a visual format. Repeating or rehearsing can also help to remember but this has a lot of limitations.

External aids include are memory supporting aids. One can give sticky notes over their mirror to remember to take medicine or can set an alarm in their phone to remind them to do a particular task. An active care taker can monitor these aids to lead a normal life for the aged person.