Health and memory in people over 50: a survey of a single‐GP practice in England

Abstract

One hundred and forty people over the age of 50 randomly sampled from a single-handed British general practice were screened for dementia using the Kendrick Cognitive Tests for the Elderly. The tests results were compared with actuarial data concerning health and health services provision. The results indicate that there are clear interrelations between low but non-dementing scores in memory and speed performance with the use of services, mobility levels and chronic disorders.

Declarative Memory and Motor Learning in the Older Adult

“…This position is consistent with that taken by Neadley, Kendrick and Brown (1995). The primary purpose of their study was to establish support for the routine cognitive screening of the older adult.…”

“…This is consistent with the figures reported by Patrick, Leber and Johnson (1996) who noted that 30% of their subjects scored below age-scaled norms on the Logical Memory II subtest of the WMS III. Neadley, Kendrick and Brown (1995) reported that 12% of subjects scored in the demented range of the assessment tool they employed to evaluate memory. They acknowledged that this was lower than expected, and accounted for the low numbers by referring to the efficiency of the elderly services to which their subjects had access, such that those clients with dementia had probably been diagnosed and eliminated as potential participants in their study.…”

“…The primary purpose of their study was to establish support for the routine cognitive screening of the older adult. Having examined 140 older adults and finding significant correlations between cognition and utilization of health services, chronic disease, and mobility status, the authors concluded that the benefit of routine memory screening was potentially enormous and, specifically, that identification of memory impairments could greatly benefit patients and their caregivers, and promote appropriate and timely utilization of health services (Neadley, Kendrick & Brown, 1995).…”

“…Neadley and colleagues found that low normal cognition and memory were linked with poor mobility in adults over 50 (Neadley, Kendrick & Brown, 1995). Another study assessed rehabilitation outcomes with memory and cognition, demonstrating that short-term motor learning was associated most significantly with procedural memory function (which includes the acquisition and retention of motor skills), while long-term retention of motor skills was associated with more global cognitive function (Patrick, Leber & Johnson, 1996).…”