A new study from the University of East Anglia shows that memory changes with age involve more than simply forgetting details. Older adults may find it more difficult to switch between different types of memories, with vivid, event-specific recollections gradually giving way to broader and more general knowledge.

The research compared younger and older adults as they recalled both specific personal experiences and repeated or general events. Participants performed less effectively when required to switch between these memory types, with older adults showing greater difficulty recalling everyday, repetitive experiences under changing demands.

The study also found that older adults’ memories contained fewer sensory and emotional details but relied more heavily on general knowledge and interpretation. These findings suggest that memory aging reflects a shift in how experiences are accessed and expressed rather than a simple loss of memory.

Researchers hope the findings will improve understanding of cognitive aging and help develop new approaches to support healthy memory and cognitive function throughout later life.

Source: https://www.uea.ac.uk/about/news/article/why-memories-get-fuzzier-with-age-and-what-replaces-them