Cognition and community-dwelling older adults: Prevention, screening, and intervention

Reas and colleagues (2019) conducted a longitudinal study with community-dwelling older adults to determine how lifelong physical activity was associated with age-related cognitive changes. Data was collected at baseline and then every 4 years during a 27-year period. Participants’ cognition, physical activity, health, and lifestyle were assessed. Participants who were physically active performed better than inactive participants, and older adults who were physically active throughout their lives were less likely to demonstrate cognitive impairment. Physical activity was associated with a lower risk of mortality at follow up. In addition, engagement in physical activity at 30 years of age and maintained through older adulthood was associated with better global cognitive functioning. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) should evaluate the physical activity performance patterns of adults, and practitioners should encourage community-dwelling older adults to maintain daily physical activity to support healthy cognitive aging.