Improvements in health, living conditions and quality of life over the course of the 20th century have led to a dramatic increase in life expectancy, among other things. This, together with a drastic drop in the birth rate, is leading to an aging population. That is why the segments of the population of the elderly are the ones that are growing the most, and something that is becoming an indisputable reality is that we are heading towards an aging population. Therefore, it seems necessary to adress what kind of problems and challenges arise in older people and what are the solutions. 

In this way, we present a research group focused on the analysis of cognitive and emotional aspects as well as on the intervention and development of the elderly, being able to distinguish two main lines of work: one focused on the aspects of the so-called normal aging and the other oriented to the aspects related to the cognitive pathologies associated with aging, mainly mild cognitive impairment, dementia of the Alzheimer's type and other dementias and Parkinson.

The first of the research lines aims to analyse the basic processes of psychological aging by studying aspects related to cognitive development such as cognitive reserve or brain plasticity, and in the social area, the type of relationships that are established in aging and the changes and evolution of these relationships. Finally, in relation to emotions, the aim is to analyse the importance of emotion regulation as a basis for behavioural development and correct adaptation.

The second line, under an experimental methodology, is applying assessment systems for the detection of possible cognitive changes, as well as possible deterioration, by means of cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. In addition, this line offers innovative cognitive interventions based on cognitive stimulation, reminiscence therapy and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). As a result of the verification of the efficacy of these interventions, several contracts have been signed with companies for the application of these interventions in patients with varying degrees of impairment.

The research group participates in several masters of the Faculty of Psychology and in the area of Health Sciences. Where the team is most involved is in the Master in Psychogerontology where subjects related to cognitive aging are taught, both in the normal population and in elderly people with dementia, as well as subjects related to social intervention.  In addition, there is an important participation in the direction of the Masters’ final projects. The research team also participates in the Master’s Degrees of General Health Psychology and Psychological Intervention in Social Settings. In relation to doctoral studies the research team is fully integrated into the Doctoral Programme in Psychogerontology: Life Cycle Perspective, where the line of Development and optimal aging and cognition is directed, from which there is an important production of doctoral theses.