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CHAPTER 5
Cognitive ageing in older workers and its impact on lifelong learning 101

until the age of about 60-65. However, some cognitive processes are more
prone to ageing (speed of processing and memory) than others (verbal
ability and general knowledge). Deterioration in cognitive processes has
been linked to premorbit intellectual ability;
(c) longitudinal studies – compared to cross-sectional studies – provide more
insight into cognitive ageing since they control for other confounding
variables such as years of education and socioeconomic background;
(d) life experience and wisdom compensates for age-related changes in
cognitive ability in healthy adults. Senior workers benefit from lifelong
learning particularly those involved in more demanding jobs. Carefully
controlled studies on cognitive training will provide important information
on the factors that affect successful ageing in older adults.

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