Daily Stimulation and Cognitive Functioning: The Importance of the Participation of Healthy Older People in Cognitively Demanding Everyday Activities

Abstract

The participation of the elderly in cognitively demanding activities is considered an enhancing factor of cognitive function. However, the life cycle psychosocial variables such as education and type of profession also influence in cognitive functioning. The objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between daily stimulation and cognitive functioning in a sample of healthy older adults, controlling the effects of education and the type of profession. The study involved 164 adults over 60 years, from rural and urban areas, with different levels of education and professional level which were assessed with an extensive battery of neuropsychological measures, as well as in an inventory of everyday activities built ad hoc. The results show that different cognitively demanding everyday activities are related to with cognitive processes, both fluids and crystallized. Furthermore, it was found that daily stimulation plays an important role in cognitive functioning outside of education and the type of profession performed. Overall, the results of this study shows the importance of everyday activity as a protective mechanism against cognitive decline, as well as the need to adopt a model of active aging