Metamemory: Hope for Elderly Cognitive Health

When considering the cognitive changes in the elderly, most people will associate slowness or memory failures with old age. In a sense, we feel that cognitive failures and problems are not only common in old age but acceptable and inevitable, although frustrating. What most people don't take into consideration is a psychological viewpoint called metamemory; a concept that seems to hold the key to changing these common misconceptions about the cognitive processes in the elderly.

Metamemory is the knowledge of memory. More specifically, metamemory deals with information and knowledge on how memory works and what "tools" are necessary to get the most out of it. In fact, knowledge of memory, memory processes, and memory strategies is one of the resources for the completion of certain tasks. Think about it like this, you study all night for an upcoming test, you read all your notes over and over. After a good night's sleep you wake to take your test, but find all your studying in vain. Psychological research in the area of memory has shown that certain techniques help us to remember information better. Certain study techniques tend to not only embed the knowledge better, but aid in recalling it faster and more accurately. Had you known that, you probably could have done better on your test. In the exact same way, any individual including the elderly can use these techniques to their advantage. Research shows that programs "aimed at increasing memory self-efficacy improve memory performance, as does simply providing older adults experience with the use of effective strategies on a memory task" (Kester et al, N.d).

Keeping this in mind, also think about the fact that memory is one of the most common complaints of the elderly. "Older people consistently complain that their ability to learn and remember information has declined" (Kester et al, N.d). This is a rather self-defeating way of looking at aging and cognition. Many older adults view their cognitive abilities as declining without a hope of changing that fact. With thoughts like these, one of the toughest parts of advocates of the promising metamemory education have a lot of work to do. One of the best ways to maintain or even increase cognitive function in old age is through specific memory techniques and exercises. Part of this includes metamemory, the knowledge of the optimal strategies for obtaining and maintaining cognitive functions and abilities. Without this knowledge the elderly are less likely to invoke the strategies that will aid them into their later years.

Decline in mental abilities to the degree that is common in today's day and age doesn't have to be an inevitable part of getting older. However, metamemory does have to be a part of the solution. Metamemory has already shown a significant amount of promise in the retention of cognitive functions and abilities that elderly individuals commonly complain about. It seems that such knowledge can and should be implemented at an early age, as well as in places like senior resource centers, the YMC, and hospitals.

References:

Hertzog, C. 1992. Improving memory: The possible roles of metamemory. In D. Herrmann, H. Weingartner, A. Searleman & C. McEvoy (eds.) Memory Improvement: Implications for Memory Theory. New York: Springer-Verlag. pp 61-78.

Kester, Benjamin, Castel, & Craik. (N.d). Memory is Elderly People. Retrieved June 19, 2007, from Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Canada Website: http://www.psych.uiuc.edu/~asbenjam/pubs/kesteretal_2002chapter.pdf