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Can maintaining cognitive function at 65 years old predict successful ageing 6 years later? The PROOF study
Karine Castro-Lionard1, Catherine Thomas-Antérion, Emilie Crawford-Achour
1Department of Geriatrics, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, 42055 Saint Etienne Cedex 2, France. karine.castro_lionard@chu-st-etienne.fr
Age and Ageing
|January 22, 2011
Summary
Maintaining cognitive function in retirement predicts successful aging. Early cognitive assessment in older adults is crucial for predicting long-term well-being and quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Cognitive abilities are essential for maintaining a good quality of life in older adults.
- The predictive value of cognitive functioning at age 65 on successful aging six years later remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between cognitive function at retirement age and successful aging.
- To establish whether early cognitive assessment can predict long-term well-being in older adults.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 976 healthy French pensioners completed questionnaires assessing health and well-being.
- Cognitive abilities were evaluated six years prior using objective tests (FCSRT, Benton, WAIS-R) and subjective measures (anxiety, memory complaints).
Main Results:
- Analysis of 686 questionnaires revealed correlations between cognitive tests and well-being.
- Objective cognitive tests showed mixed correlations with well-being indicators.
- Anxiety and cognitive complaints at baseline negatively correlated with successful aging indicators six years later.
Conclusions:
- Preservation of cognitive abilities at retirement age is a significant predictor of successful aging.
- Cognitive assessment in early retirement can inform interventions to promote healthy aging.
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