Memory functioning in aging

Mohammed El-Mir
2022 figshare.com  
This article aimed to examine the results of research into the functioning of memory in the elderly. Memory has received great attention from researchers in aging, considering that memory is one of the processes of the information processing system that is influenced by age. This theoretical review intends to identify the levels of preservation or deficit of some basic memory structures in normal aging, in addition to the differences between the elderly and young adults in the efficiency of
more » ... ry processes. We focused on short-term memory, working memory, long-term memory, and some structures related to the latter such as semantic memory and episodic memory, as well as the effect of age on prospective memory. Most of the results confirmed the preservation or slight deficit in the ability of many memory structures such as short-term memory, long-term memory, specifically semantic memory and episodic memory, and it was also unfolded that prospective memory does not decline significantly during old age. On the other hand, consistent results indicated a decrease in working memory capacity in the elderly. As for the memory processes, the researchers' data indicated the relative preservation of the storage process, and the low performance of the encoding and retrieval processes in old age. Given that some studies have challenged the general trend of researchers' findings on memory efficacy in the elderly, research into memory functioning in old age should be deepened.
doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.21151552.v1 fatcat:wuvqpp342fgb5grvdjnnbfccze