Self-Reported Physical Health Does Not Predict Declining Cognitive Health In Older Adults

Objective: This study investigated whether abnormal changes in cognition are associated with self-reported measures of physical health in older adults, specifically those meeting criteria for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Method: Participants (n = 88) completed one questionnaire on their general health and four cognitive tests. To identify abnormal cognitive decline, two methods were used. Participants’ standardized crystallized intelligence was subtracted from their standardized fluid intelligence to show premorbid cognitive ability. The other method statistically corrected for the participants’ current memory performances by using a measure of premorbid cognitive ability. These methods were then correlated with measures of physical health. Results: Results showed that there was no significant correlation between the self-report measure of physical health and the cognitive health indices. There were, however, significant correlations between the cognitive health indices and two scales from the general health questionnaire: social functioning and emotional well-being. Conclusions: Overall, these results do not support the idea that declining physical health could be used as an indicator to predict declining cognitive health in older individuals. These findings have clinical implications.