Working Memory Decline After Age 60 - Negatively Impacts Medication Adherence

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Callum

Medication adherence is critical for chronic disease management, and working memory is a putative cognitive process required for adherence. Working memory declines with age, and age-related reductions may undermine adherence that depends on these cognitive functions. A longitudinal analysis examined whether working memory decline predicts future adherence in 117 community-dwelling participants from the Detroit Brain Aging Study. Results showed an interaction of age and change in working memory predicting adherence, strongest in adults over 60.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Longitudinal study design

Statistical findings

Implications and future research

1210 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.4049 WORKING MEMORY DECLINE AFTER AGE 60 NEGATIVELY IMPACTS MEDICATION ADHERENCE Candace Ryan1, Cheryl Dahle1, Debra Schutte1, and Ana Daugherty2, 1. Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, United States, 2. Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, United States Medication adherence is critical for chronic disease management. Working memory is a putative cognitive process necessary for successful adherence. Working memory is known to decline with age. Working memory processes are hypothesized to support successful adherence, which is vulnerable to age-related decline. Poor understanding of cognitive correlates to adherence among community-dwelling older adults impedes effective strategies to reduce late-life health disparities. A longitudinal analysis tested the association of working memory decline with future medication adherence in 117 community-dwelling participants of the Detroit Brain Aging Study (73.3% female, 84.3% White), mean age = 70.49 (SD=12.48). Working memory was assessed on three measurement occasions (2-year delays), and medication adherence was reported at a follow-up 14–22 years after baseline. In binomial logistic regression, the interaction age × change in working memory predicted the likelihood of medication adherence (b=0.72, p =0.02). In the oldest age group >80 years, greater working memory declines predicted lesser likelihood of reporting medication adherence in the future, this was attenuated at younger ages, with a negligible effect at 60 years. Concurrent age, delay since baseline, and change in processing speed were not significant (all p’s > 0.7), nor was the cumulative model (p =.25; R2 = 0.11) . In this sample, working memory declines had a modest association with future medication adherence behavior, with the effect most prominent among adults over age 60 years. Future studies are needed to determine additional factors, beyond cognitive decline, that contribute to medication adherence.

FAQs

Why is working memory important for medication adherence in older adults?

Working memory is a cognitive process hypothesized to support successful medication adherence. Because it declines with age, adherence may become more vulnerable to age-related cognitive changes.

How was medication adherence assessed in the longitudinal study?

Medication adherence was reported at a follow-up 14–22 years after baseline. Working memory was measured on three occasions with 2-year delays.

What did the study find about the relationship between age, working memory decline, and adherence?

The interaction of age and change in working memory predicted the likelihood of medication adherence. Greater working memory declines in the oldest group (>80) reduced the likelihood of future adherence, while effects were attenuated at younger ages.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Callum