HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Cited by other online articles Google Scholar Articles by Rodgers, W. L. Articles by Herzog, A. R. Articles citing this Article PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Rodgers, W. L. Articles by Herzog, A. R.

Trends in Scores on Tests of Cognitive Ability in the Elderly U.S. Population, 1993–2000

Survey Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Address correspondence to Dr. Willard L. Rodgers, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1248. E-mail: wrodgers{at}umich.edu

Objective. This study investigates cohort differences in cognitive functioning among Americans aged 70 or older in 1993, 1995, 1998, and 2000.

Methods. The study draws on self-respondent data from four waves of the Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old Study and the Health and Retirement Study surveys collected between 1993 and 2000. Cognitive performance scores for each of four components (immediate recall, delayed recall, serial 7s, and mental status) and their sum are compared across cohorts, unadjusted and with adjustments for survey design features and demographic characteristics.

Results. Unadjusted scores suggest cohort improvements in several components of cognitive functioning between 1993 and 1998, and little change between 1998 and 2000. However, these improvements largely disappear after confounding features of the survey design (changes in age distribution of the sample across waves and prior exposure to the cognitive tests) and changes in the demographic composition of the sample (race, ethnicity, and gender) are adjusted for.

Discussion. There appears to have been little improvement of cognitive functioning across recent cohorts of older Americans. However, the study points out the complexities of using panel data to study cohort differences, particularly when the measures of interest are likely influenced by prior wave participation. Future studies based on other data sources are needed.

This article has been cited by other articles: (Search Google Scholar for Other Citing Articles)

				M. G. Parker, K. Ahacic, and M. Thorslund Health Changes Among Swedish Oldest Old: Prevalence Rates From 1992 and 2002 Show Increasing Health Problems J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., October 1, 2005; 60(10): 1351 - 1355. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. L. Rodgers and M. B. Ofstedal "Trends in Scores on Tests of Cognitive Ability in the Elderly U.S. Population, 1993": Authors' Reply to the Commentary J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., November 1, 2003; 58(6): S348 - 349. [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. A. Freedman and L. G. Martin Commentary on "Trends in Scores on Tests of Cognitive Ability in the Elderly U.S. Population, 1993-2000": Beyond Inconsistent Results: Finding the Truth About Trends in Late-Life Cognitive Functioning J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., November 1, 2003; 58(6): S347 - 348. [Full Text] [PDF]