INVESTIGATING COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN THE ELDERLY: UNDERSTANDING LEARNING CAPABILITIES

Abstract

As global populations continue to age, fostering healthy aging is of paramount importance. This growth in the elderly population necessitates specialized, multidisciplinary care tailored to their unique needs and a focus on providing opportunities to engage in activities they value. The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced the concept of "Healthy Ageing" to create environments and opportunities that enable elderly individuals to maintain their functional abilities, promoting overall well-being in old age. Learning is recognized as a key domain in the WHO's Active Aging plan, as it profoundly impacts the environment and social participation. Learning empowers older adults to remain active in activities they cherish, interact with others, and continue their personal development. This paper explores the role of learning in the context of aging, examining the factors that influence the learning process for older individuals, including motivation, suitable learning environments, prior knowledge, functional capacity, and cognitive status.