Late‐Life Forgetting

Abstract

On the basis of a recent literature review of the relationship between subjective memory complaints in older adults and quality of life (Mol et al., 2006), it was concluded that forgetfulness is a serious concern that negatively impacts quality of life. APA guidelines for the evaluation of dementia and age‐related cognitive decline (1998) note that the consequences of aging include declines in memory and cognitive abilities. The guidelines suggest that these normal, developmental changes should be labeled as age‐consistent memory decline.