title: Theoretical models of cognitive aging and implications for translational research in medicine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We provide an overview of theoretical models of cognitive aging and present empirical research that uses these models to explain older patients' medical behaviors and to develop interventions for improving the delivery of health information and services to older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Theoretical accounts of age and cognition are summarized and are related to key research findings, including age differences in comprehension of medical information, adherence, and use of medical technologies. The implications of cognitive aging theories for designing optimal medical environments and enhancing adherence are discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age declines in basic cognitive abilities such as working memory capacity limit older adults' ability to comprehend and recall several types of novel medical information. In contrast, automatic processes and environmental cues can benefit older adults, as shown by age increases in compliance for practiced or mentally imaged health behaviors, but can also be dangerous, as shown by older adults' greater belief in false but familiar health statements. Last, cognitive aging is shown to be a useful model for investigating cognitive disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cognitive aging theories are important for understanding older patient behaviors and suggest age-related declines as well as gains in performance in medical domains. In addition, models of cognitive aging are useful in guiding the development of interventions that improve health care in older patients and in furthering our understanding of cognitive dysfunction in populations other than older adults.
authors.affiliation: Edward R Roybal Center on Aging and Cognition: Health, Education, and Training, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-0358, USA. scbrown@med.umich.edu
authors.forename: Scott C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Denise C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003463:Cues; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory; D008962:Models, Theoretical