Cognitive Functioning among African American Older Adults

It has been well documented that certain cognitive abilities decline as a function of the aging process, including episodic memory, processing speed, and inhibitory control. The rate at which espisodic memory and speed of processing change as a function of age is dependent upon a number of variables including health, education, and occupational complexity (Avolio & Waldman, 1994; Cagney & Lauderdale, 2002; Hiltunen, Keinanen-Kiukaanniemi, & Laara, 2001; Stewart & Liolitsa, 1999). All of these factors vary as a function of ethnicity. Yet there has been little research investigating the trajectory of cognitive changes as a function of ethnicity. Most of the studies have focused on Caucasian, middle class, well-educated older adults (Marcopulos, McLain, & Giuliano, 1997). Cognitive functioning among older adults is extremely important because it determines the extent to which older adults can be independent (Zsembik, Peek, & Peek, 2000), and it impacts their emotional well being (Bazargan & Bazargan, 1997).