Slowing also manifests itself in the learning process. Decline related to inherited intelligence begins after 35 or 40 and becomes more pronounced in the 60s and 70s. These changes are highly related to learning. On the other hand, the intellectual functioning defined as stored information increases with age. A vast library of information is stored away, but the search for that store of experience is done more slowly.
Older people do learn very well.
Older learners can maintain and recall about as much information in primary memory for direct recall as well as young adults. When the capacity of primary memory is exceeded and indirect recall is involved, age deficits emerge. The longer the list of items to remember and the faster the pace required for receiving or for recalling the information, the less probability there is the older person can search for and find items from the vast library of information as well as younger learners. The older learner's performance is benefited by self pacing in learning by giving time for organization of information and association with other known ideas. Since physical activities take more time, plan for this.