Memory Complaints in the Able Elderly

ABSTRACT

Many older adults complain of memory decline (Lowenthal, Berkman, Buehler, Pierce, Robbinson & Trier, 1967). Most empirical work, however, has demonstrated that memory complaints are not directly related to memory performance (e.g., Zelin-ski, Gilewski, & Schaie, 1993). This study addressed the influence of depression, physical health complaints, educational level, and premorbid levels of ability on subjective memory complaints among 130 community dwelling older adults (Mean age = 67.4). The impact of certain types of memory complaints and mood and memory training was also investigated. Depression and physical health complaints accounted for significant (p <.001) proportions of the variance in memory complaints (R² = .15; R² = .10, respectively). Contrary to expectations, level of education did not relate to memory complaints. When premorbid ability was taken into account a relationship between memory complaints and objective memory performance was demonstrated; difference scores accounted for more than 5% of the variance in Rivermead scores (R² = .05, p <.01, Beta = -.23, p <.01). Finally, treatment significantly reduced memory complaints (i(81) = -3.78, p <.001).