Improvement of Cognitive Abilities of Older Employees With Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT)

Abstract

Abstract Recent demographic analyses and projections show that as the population ages, the proportion of older workers will increase. It is also anticipated that an older, grayer (i.e., aging) workforce will present new challenges for both employers and society. One of the major challenges will arise with extending the retirement age, which will coincide with cognitive aging, i.e., age-related cognitive decline. To ensure the success and satisfaction of gray employees, it will be advisable for employers to help employees and offer them various interventions to maintain cognitive abilities and thus maintain greater productivity and job satisfaction. This article presents cognitive training (CT) and computerized cognitive training (CCT) as the most appropriate interventions to maintain cognitive performance. Although in the last two decades CT and CCT have been used for people of all ages, from kindergarten to the end of life, both for the healthy, the sick, and those in need of additional help due to various cognitive and mental disorders, only a few studies have been done with employees. These few studies show that CT and CCT are feasible in work organizations and can also be effective. An even greater number of empirical studies with CT and CCT in work organizations will be needed to show more precisely which CT and CCT types are most appropriate and effective to convince both leaders in work organizations and older employees that CT and CCT are useful and beneficial for them. In the near future, CCT may be one of the most successful interventions to slow cognitive aging, improve work productivity, increase job satisfaction and the overall well-being of older employees.