Who Uses Memory Strategies? Exploring the Influence of Cognitive Reserve on Use of Memory Strategies by Older Adults Referred for Neuropsychological Assessment

In a clinical sample of older adults presenting for neuropsychological assessment, women and native English speakers were more likely to use semantic clustering, independent of CR. The relationship between CR and memory performance is complex in a clinical setting, where patients may be assessed at different stages of disease progression. Semantic clustering appears to bolster memory performance regardless of an individual's existing level of CR, suggesting that teaching older adults with both low and high CR internal memory strategies may help to reduce everyday memory problems.