Age Up Age Well Monthly Blog
January 2026 – Issue 2
Connecting Information to Your Daily Life
HEADLINES…
- What is cognition?
- Factors that influence cognition
- What is cognitive testing?
- Who should be tested?
- Common cognitive testing tools
- Next month’s topic
What is Cognition?
Cognition refers to the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses. It includes perception, attention, thought, imagination, intelligence, memory and working memory, judgment and evaluation, reasoning, problem solving and decision making.
Factors That Influence Cognition
Cognition can be influenced by many factors including age, education, culture, emotional state, sleep quality, stress, medications, medical history, the presence of new or chronic illnesses/conditions or neurological injury.
What Is Cognitive Testing?
Cognitive testing is a structured way to assess thinking skills such as memory, attention, problem solving, language and reasoning. Testing may be brief or comprehensive depending on the concerns and goals of the evaluation.
Who Should Be Tested?
Cognitive testing may be helpful for individuals who notice changes in memory, attention or problem solving; those recovering from illness or injury; individuals with neurological conditions; or anyone who wants a clearer understanding of their cognitive strengths and areas for improvement.
Common Cognitive Testing Tools
- Screening tools
- Standardized paper-and-pencil tests
- Computer-based assessments
- Functional or task-based evaluations
Print and Post Page
How did I do today?
- I got 7+ hours of sleep
- I ate a balanced and nutritious diet
- I got outside at least once
- I completed a brain game
- I took my prescribed medication
- I was physically active for at least 30 minutes
- I had a verbal conversation
- I was kind to myself and others
- I took screen breaks
- I read
- I completed 3–5 household tasks
What’s Next…
February 2026: In our next issue we will explore memory strategies and practical tools you can use daily to support brain health.
Until next time… Age Up Age Well