Increased reaction time

Increased reaction time is essentially universal in older adults. This is one of the reasons that some jobs, particularly in the transportation industry, retain mandatory retirement. Driving is one of the key abilities affected.

Longer time to incorporate new information

Contrary to popular opinion, older adults are quite able to learn new material. However, it takes a bit longer for them to retain new information. Older adults do not lose intelligence, but tend to draw more on experience (making them good problem-solvers) than on new information. They may require repetition of information, and thrive when information is applied to practical situations. Daily activities that can be affected include any that require acquisition of new information (for example, a move to a new home).

Age-Associated Memory Impairment (AAMI)

Older adults experience a variety of cognitive changes, including increased difficulty with word-finding, difficulty incorporating new information, and minor short-term memory loss (for example, increased frequency of forgetting where an object like house keys has been placed, or in recalling why one came into a particular room in the house). Because of the publicity of such dementing illnesses as Alzheimer's Disease, these normal changes can be distressing to older adults. At a minimum, they can be annoying.

Memory strategies can be very helpful in managing AAMI. These might include learning to always put keys in a particular spot, making lists, writing down new information for later review, labeling cabinets, etc. can minimize forgetfulness.