Cognitive prescriptions.

Nonpathological cognitive declines occur with aging and negatively affect everyday functioning and reduce quality of life. Many older adults, aware of such cognitive changes, seek ways to bolster their cognitive functioning. Evidence based on the cognitive aging literature supports a number of factors associated with cognitive functioning. These factors include physical exercise, intellectual exercise, nutrition, sleep hygiene, social interaction, and mood and emotional state. These factors can be manipulated and woven together by nurses and other health professionals to develop an easy-to-use, non-invasive cognitive prescription for improving the cognitive health of older adults. An example and directions for developing and implementing cognitive prescriptions are described. Copyright 2011, SLACK Incorporated.