Can We Improve Our Memory as We Get Older? 



“By the time you’re 80 years old, you’ve learned everything.  You only have to remember it.”

~ George Burns


Yes, research shows that we can improve our our abilities to remember things such as peoples names and faces.  Some of the things that have been shown to help our memories include: 


  1. -decreasing stress

  2. -maintaining a healthy diet

  3. -regular physical exercise

  4. -getting organized (for example, carrying a notebook)

  5. -regular mental activity, such as word puzzles or learning new activities


 

About our Research


Many people experience changes in mental abilities, such as memory or concentration, as they get older.  For some, these changes may be barely noticeable, whereas for others, they can be disruptive and distressing.   We are investigating what seems to underlie these changes, and to what extent they are affected by common age-related illnesses like high blood pressure or diabetes.   We are also interested in abilities that may be resistant to age changes, or may improve with the experiences gained across the lifespan. 


We are also investigating how well typical measures of problem solving predict actual or “real world” functioning in older adults.  There is some evidence to suggest that “everyday” problem solving measures may actually do a better job of predicting functioning than typical tests.  Our lab is working to develop better measures of everyday cognitive functioning that may give us a clearer picture of whether or not these abilities decline, or improve with age. 


For more information about current funding, and for a list of publications, please see Dr. Thornton’s CV.