What is the relationship between cognition and successful aging?

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Regarding the association between cognition and successful aging, we know that the maintenance of intact cognition in older age is essential to preserving independence and quality of life, avoiding disability, and attaining longevity. It is likely that this relationship is reflective of necessary higher-order cognitive skills that support the execution of complex everyday functioning tasks such as medication management, social participation, and driving. These activities, in turn, contribute to improved health-related quality of life and physical functioning, which are both markers of successful aging. As such, it is not surprising that groups of individuals who show normal aging, mild cognitive impairments, and dementia would also differ on indices of successful aging. While we know that global cognitive functioning is related to successful aging, it is still unclear whether specific domains of cognition are differentially important for aging successfully. For example, it may be the case that preserved executive functioning and memory are more salient in terms of maintaining a robust quality of life into older age, while declines in processing speed or motor functioning can be compensated for, to some extent, and have a lesser detrimental effect on markers of successful aging. This issue has received limited empirical attention and warrants a closer analysis given the implications for developing interventions to target specific cognitive domains.