Loss of Executive Function With Aging Can Make Learning New Skills Hard
Learning new skills and keeping up with technological advancements can be challenging, especially for older adults who may experience a decline in their cognitive abilities. As people age, they may encounter difficulties in learning, planning, and managing daily tasks due to a decline in executive function skills.
Executive function skills encompass various cognitive abilities that allow individuals to learn, plan, and manage everyday tasks. One crucial component of executive function is working memory, which involves retaining new information so that the brain can process and utilize it during tasks or learning. Studies have shown that working memory tends to decline with age, although the extent varies among individuals.
According to Dr. Vladimir Hachinski, a distinguished university professor at the University of Western Ontario, when working memory declines, learning new things becomes more challenging. Decision-making becomes slower, reaction times decrease, and thinking abilities decline. Additionally, older adults may experience a decline in alerting, a cognitive function that prepares the brain to receive new information. This can result in older adults taking longer to respond to cues.
The constant influx of new information can also make it harder for older adults to discern what is legitimate, leaving them more vulnerable to scams. Dr. Hachinski suggests that maintaining good blood pressure control is one way to prevent the loss of executive function skills. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is strongly associated with dementia and executive function loss.
Higher levels of education can also play a protective role in preserving cognitive function. Research has shown that individuals with more years of schooling experience less decline in working memory. In a study conducted in 2018, men were found to have steeper declines in working memory compared to women as they aged. However, the study also revealed that women with higher levels of education exhibited greater working memory capacity.
While the loss of working memory may not be reversible, there is evidence that other aspects of executive function can improve with practice. For example, the ability to block out distractions may improve through experience, at least until a person reaches their 70s. Engaging in activities such as learning a foreign language and staying socially active has been shown to help preserve cognitive function.
In conclusion, the decline of executive function with aging can make learning new skills challenging for older adults. Maintaining good blood pressure control, pursuing higher education, and engaging in activities that stimulate the brain can help mitigate cognitive decline. While working memory may not be able to be regained once lost, other aspects of executive function can improve through practice and experience. By focusing on aspects that can be enhanced, individuals can better adapt to the changing world and continue to learn and grow.
