Author(s): Courtney Swantek , Victoria Tschohl

Presentation: poster

Brain training is a structured program aimed at enhancing memory, attention, problem solving, processing speed, logic, and reasoning. Many such programs are aimed at older adults with the promise of slowing or reversing age related decline in cognitive functioning. However, there has been little research on which seniors will be the most interested and likely to use brain training. For example, will such training appeal only to the most educated, healthy and highest functioning older adults? Therefore, we designed a study to examine which personality traits, attitudes, and levels of functioning might predict which elderly are more apt to participate in these programs. We hypothesized that the higher functioning older adults will be more likely to participate or to be interested in brain training. We surveyed 65 older adults recruited from various senior centers, retirement communities and social gatherings. We will report the results from various regression and correlational analyses.

The College of Idaho     2112 Cleveland Blvd Caldwell, ID  8360     USA 208-459-5011    800-2C-IDAHO