Final answer:
The given statement "Research by Loans and colleagues (2019) revealed that it is not possible to improve cognitive functioning in older adults through intervention (e.g., declines are inevitable)" is b) False
Step-by-step explanation:
The research conducted by Loans and colleagues (2019) does not support the idea that it is impossible to improve cognitive functioning in older adults through intervention. Their findings likely refute the notion that declines in cognitive abilities among older adults are entirely inevitable. Interventions such as cognitive training, physical exercise, social engagement, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle have shown promising results in enhancing cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills, among older adults. While aging may bring some cognitive changes, research suggests that proactive interventions can help mitigate or slow down cognitive decline.
Loans and colleagues' study might have explored certain limitations or challenges in enhancing cognitive functioning in older adults through interventions, but it does not conclusively prove that declines in cognitive abilities are inevitable. Studies in the field of gerontology consistently demonstrate the brain's neuroplasticity and its ability to adapt and change throughout life. Older adults can experience cognitive improvements through various interventions, emphasizing the potential for positive changes and enhancements in cognitive abilities even in later stages of life.
Therefore, while aging may present some natural changes in cognitive abilities, research like that of Loans and colleagues does not dismiss the effectiveness of interventions in improving cognitive functioning among older adults. Interventions tailored to cognitive stimulation, physical health, and social engagement can play a crucial role in promoting cognitive health and potentially offsetting declines, challenging the belief that cognitive decline in older age is solely an inevitable process.