A - 107 The Role of Cognitive Functions in the Activities of Daily Living and Compensatory Aid Use of Older Adults

Abstract Objective Memory and executive functions contribute to the completion of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Compensatory aids may be used to support age-related changes in cognition. The current study examines the roles of memory and executive functions in IADLs and the use compensatory strategies across the cognitive spectrum. Methods Participants included 132 older adults (58 healthy older controls, 65 individuals with MCI, and 9 individuals with ad). Composite scores were calculated for Memory (CVLT-II Long Delay Free Recall and BVMT-R Delayed Recall) and Executive Functioning (Stroop Interference and Trails B) tests completed. The Instrumental Activities of Daily Living – Compensation (IADL-C) scale was used to assess the IADLs of money/self-management skills, home/daily living skills, travel/event memory, social skills, and total IADL skills, in addition to the use of compensatory aids. Results Regression analyses were conducted to examine the roles of memory and executive functions in IADLs and the use of compensatory aids, separately, across the cognitive spectrum. Results revealed that memory and executive functions predicted the ability to complete all IADLs. In contrast, cognitive skills did not predict the use of compensatory aids. Conclusion Overall, we found that memory and executive functions are important for completing a wide range of IADLs. Interestingly, these cognitive abilities did not play a role in the use of compensatory aids, even though these aids can support changes in cognition. This research suggests that it may be beneficial to recommend specific compensatory strategies to older adults that support memory and executive skills when performing everyday tasks.