IntroductionWe study from a multidimensional perspective the different factors that help prevent the development of cognitive impairment in old aging.MethodsThis study analyzed in 300 elderly subjects the relationship between cognitive reserve (CR), physical reserve (PR) and motivational reserve (MR) with cognitive impairment. This study also takes into consideration different variables (sex, age, educational level, and institutionalization) that might affect the results in the different types of reserves (CR, physical and MR) and cognitive impairment.ResultsThe results show that people with a higher cognitive reserve, physical reserve and motivational reserve have less cognitive impairment.DiscussionTherefore, it is important to consider measuring the CR as a variable to diagnose neurodegenerative illnesses but it is also essential to consider the physical state and physical activity, as well as the motivational dimension. With the cognitive reserve and sex variables no significant differences were observed. Age had a negative effect on strategic flexibility, but those with higher CR had better cognitive flexibility and the educational.

Objective: The specialised literature indicates that the two key aspects in active ageing are performing physical activity and life satisfaction. Regarding physical activity, this not only improves physical aspects of senior citizens, but also has a positive impact on mental well-being and satisfaction with one’s own life. The aim is to demonstrate the relationship between these two variables to explain healthy ageing.Method: In a sample of 300 senior citizen subjects, the influence of various sociodemographic variables (age, sex, institutionalisation, and level of education) on the performance of physical activity and life satisfaction, is analysed. The research design is a non-experimental study with two unique cross-sectional and correlational measurement groups.Results: An analysis of the results indicates that people with a higher level of education present differences in physical and motivational reserves. Furthermore, age and institutionalisation have an impact on physical reserves. Analysis using structural equation models allows key relationships between the variables analysed to be predicted, which can guide the implementation of active ageing.Conclusion: Motivational reserves affect healthy cognitive ageing through their positive impact on cognitive and physical reserves.

RESUMEN.El presente trabajo desarrolla un programa de intervención para mejorar las competencias de la memoria autobiográfica de las personas mayores en el desempeño cotidiano, haciendo hincapié en la rememorización de emociones positivas. Así mismo, subraya la importancia de reescribir las experiencias personales positivas en el envejecimiento, magnificando las estrategias señaladas por la Psicología Positiva como más efectivas para lograr la felicidad y el bienestar. Las personas que formaron parte de esta intervención han desarrollado competencias de sesgos positivos en el recuerdo autobiográfico.ABSTRACT.The presented work develops an intervention program consisting on improving the autobiographical memory competences of elderly people in their day-to-day routine, emphasizing on the remembrance of positive emotions. Thus the importance on remembering positive experiences during aging is emphasized, stressing on strategies mentioned by Positive Psychology has the most effective to reach happiness and wellbeing. The conclusions evidence that the subjects that participated in this intervention have developed positive traits on their autobiographical memory.

Se ha realizado una revisión sobre el papel del cuidador en la atención a personas con Enfermedad de Alzheimer, en relación a la asistencia que estos enfermos precisan y las consecuencias generadas del cuidado. La ayuda que ofrece esta figura a los enfermos, es en la gran mayoría, intensa y constante, y suele asumirse por una única persona, por el cuidador principal. En la mayoría de los casos, esta atención sobrepasa la propia capacidad mental y física del cuidador, generando una situación crónica de estrés, el cual es denominado como “carga del cuidador” (Zarit, 2002).