Abstract
This study examined the independent contributions of executive control function, general cognition, age, education, and medication usage to the comprehension of medical information. Randomly selected elderly retirees (N = 705) more than 70 years of age completed the Executive Interview (EXIT25), the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), and the Hopkins Competency Assessment Test (HCAT). Cognitive measures were stronger predictors of HCAT scores than age, education, or number of prescribed medications. A discriminant model based on EXIT25 and MMSE scores correctly classified 91% of subjects relative to their HCAT scores. It was concluded that executive impairment is strongly associated with impaired comprehension of medical information. As many as 88% of probable Alzheimer's disease patients, 69% of institutionalized elderly retirees, and 49% of noninstitutionalized retirees may be impaired in their ability to comprehend medical information, even when it has been presented well below their educational le vel.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 301-313 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Experimental Aging Research |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1 1997 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Aging
- Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
- Psychology(all)
- Geriatrics and Gerontology