EVERYDAY PROBLEM-SOLVING IN OLDER ADULTS - OBSERVATIONAL ASSESSMENT AND COGNITIVE CORRELATES

Older adults' ability to solve practical problems in 3 domains of dail y living was assessed using a new measure of everyday problem solving, the Observed Tasks of Daily Living (OTDL). Findings showed that the O TDL formed internally consistent scales representing 3 distinct factor s of everyday problem solving. Moreover, the OTDL showed convergent va lidity with related scales of a paper-and-pencil test. Older adults' p erformance on the OTDL was significantly correlated with their scores on measures of basic mental abilities. Path analysis showed that age a ffected older adults' performance on the OTDL directly and indirectly via cognitive abilities. Participants' education and health affected t heir everyday competence indirectly through cognitive abilities. The e ffects of perceptual speed and memory span were mediated by fluid and crystallized intelligence.