Análisis de la funcionalidad discursivo-pragmática en adultos mayores sanos y con demencia leve

Abstract

The aim of this study is to describe discursive-pragmatic functionality in elderly healthy and with mild dementia, through a linguistic analysis of oral production in the audible monologue task of the MetAphAs Protocol. The sample consisted of 9 healthy subjects (G1) and 9 subjects with mild dementia (G2) selected from NEUROLEN data base. This is a qualitative descriptive study, based on the discursive pragmatic functionality reviewed under the available theoretical frame. The results showed perceptible language performance differences between groups. Despite of language production changes due to physiological aging, healthy elderly were able to develop functional communication while subjects with dementia, probably due to their cognitive deterioration, showed difficulties in discursive production. Further research is needed in order to establish linguistic markers for both healthy and pathological aging.