Memory often declines with age, but older adults can off-set memory challenges by selectively remembering important information. When encountering large amounts of information and knowing that memory is limited, older adults may choose to focus on what is most important and forget less relevant details. Prioritizing what to remember becomes essential when memory is limited, and influences what information can be off-loaded. While forgetting can be frustrating and consequential, a lifetime of these experiences may help older adults learn to focus on strategically remembering important information and life events. Curiosity and emotion may also guide what older adults remember, such that selective remembering can be an adaptive way to use memory efficiently in older age.

记忆力通常会随着年龄的增长而下降，但老年人可以通过选择性地记住重要信息来抵消记忆力的挑战。当遇到大量信息并且知道记忆力有限时，老年人可能会选择专注于最重要的事情，而忘记不太相关的细节。当内存有限时，优先记住什么就变得至关重要，并且会影响可以卸载的信息。虽然遗忘可能会令人沮丧且后果严重，但一生的这些经历可能会帮助老年人学会专注于有策略地记住重要信息和生活事件。好奇心和情感也可能引导老年人记住什么，因此选择性记忆可以成为老年人有效使用记忆的适应性方式。