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The “SuperAgers” construct in clinical practice: neuropsychological assessment of illiterate and educated elderly

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 September 2019

Everton Balduino Open the ORCID record for Everton Balduino [Opens in a new window] ,
Brian Alvarez Ribeiro de Melo Open the ORCID record for Brian Alvarez Ribeiro de Melo [Opens in a new window] ,
Larissa de Sousa Mota da Silva Open the ORCID record for Larissa de Sousa Mota da Silva [Opens in a new window] ,
José Eduardo Martinelli Open the ORCID record for José Eduardo Martinelli [Opens in a new window]  and
Juliana Francisca Cecato Open the ORCID record for Juliana Francisca Cecato [Opens in a new window]
Everton Balduino
Affiliation:
Geriatrics Division, Faculty of Medicine of Jundiaí, Jundiaí, Brazil
Brian Alvarez Ribeiro de Melo
Affiliation:
State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
Larissa de Sousa Mota da Silva
Affiliation:
Geriatrics Division, Faculty of Medicine of Jundiaí, Jundiaí, Brazil
José Eduardo Martinelli
Affiliation:
Geriatrics Division, Faculty of Medicine of Jundiaí, Jundiaí, Brazil
Juliana Francisca Cecato*
Affiliation:
Geriatrics Division, Faculty of Medicine of Jundiaí, Jundiaí, Brazil
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Juliana Francisca Cecato, Geriatrics Division, Faculty of Medicine of Jundiaí, Prudente de Moraes St., 111, 13201-004, Jundiaí, Brazil. Phone/Fax: +55 11 4587 9161. Email: [email protected].
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Abstract

Introduction:

The demographic transition is a global event intensified during the last decades that represents population aging. Thus, the studies directed to the elderly 80 years of age or more with preserved cognitive functions (named SuperAgers) emerges as a possible path to full comprehension of the health of those aging with acceptable levels of functionality and independency.

Objective:

To evaluate the cognitive performance of the elderly over 80 years old, associating the results to their educational level.

Method:

We evaluated 144 healthy elders with 80 years or more through the following cognitive tests Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG), Clock Drawing Test (CDT), and Verbal Fluency Test (VF) and compared the tests’ scores with their educational level segmented in years of formal education, being the groups ILLITR (<1 year of schooling), 1TO4 (from 1 to 4 years of schooling), and 5MORE (>5 years of schooling).

Results:

There was positive influence of educational level on the cognitive tests’ score, which indicates higher cognitive reserve of the elderly with higher educational levels.

Conclusion:

The functionality and independence of the so-called SuperAgers is determined by the cognitive reserve acquired throughout life, mainly developed by the years of formal education.

Keywords

SuperAgerscognitive reserveeducational levelschooling yearscognitionilliteracyelderly
Type
Original Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 32 , Issue 2: Issue Theme: Psychological Promoters of Well-Being in Older Adults , February 2020 , pp. 191 - 198
Copyright
© International Psychogeriatric Association 2019 

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