Memory compensation strategies in everyday life: similarities and differences between younger and older adults.

Bibliographic Details
Title: Memory compensation strategies in everyday life: similarities and differences between younger and older adults.
Authors: Radnan, Madeleine J., Nicholson, Riley, Brookman, Ruth, Harris, Celia B.
Source: Scientific Reports; 5/24/2023, Vol. 13 Issue 1, p1-7, 7p
Subject Terms: OLDER people, AGE differences, YOUNG adults, AGE groups, MEMORY, EVERYDAY life, ATTITUDES toward technology, DIGITAL technology
Abstract: Memory compensation strategies serve an important role in everyday functioning, especially in the face of cognitive decline. Research on the external memory compensation strategies employed by older adults has focused almost entirely on non-digital tools. Less is known about how memory compensation strategies might have changed due to the rapid and widespread uptake of digital technologies. In the current research, 208 younger adults and 114 older adults freely reported what internal or external memory strategy or tool they would use to accomplish 20 different everyday memory tasks. Participants' responses were coded as involving either internal (e.g. using a mnemonic) or external (e.g. writing a list) strategies, and then underwent further categorisation to classify types of internal and external strategies (e.g. digital or physical tool). Findings indicated that external strategies were much more prevalent than internal strategies for both younger and older adults, and that digital compensation strategies were prevalent for both age groups. There were age differences such that older adults reported more strategies overall, and were less likely to report digital tools, more likely to report physical tools, more likely to report environmental tools, and less likely to report social tools than younger adults. Positive attitudes to technology were associated with digital tool use for older but not younger participants. Findings are discussed in terms of existing theories and approaches to studying memory compensation strategies and cognitive offloading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Scientific Reports is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Complementary Index
Full text is not displayed to guests.
More Details
ISSN:20452322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-34815-3
Published in:Scientific Reports
Language:English