Correlates of Self-Reported Everyday Memory Problems

Abstract

Using the 1984 supplement on Aging to the National Health Interview Survey, this study examined the prevalence and correlates of self-reported everyday memory problems in a sample of persons aged 55 and older (N = 14,783). Fifteen percent of the respondents reported having had trouble remembering things frequently during the past year, but 26 percent indicated having had no trouble. Of those reporting any problems, only 18 percent said the problem was happening with increasing frequency. Sex, age, educational attainment, subjective health status, perceived changes in health status, number of functional limitations, and vision and hearing impairments were examined in bivariate and multivariate analyses to identify significant predictors of self-reported memory problems.