If you think getting old means losing your memory, you've got another think coming, says a UC Davis human development expert who will be speaking at a Nov. 10 aging conference on campus.

"Memory and other cognitive functions do not show significant decline in all elderly," says Beth Ober, professor of human development. "In fact, 85 percent of those 65 years old and older show normal functioning of the mind."

Ober will talk about what is normal for memory loss among the "elderly" (those 65 years and older) as part of a daylong conference to update professionals and scholars in the Sacramento region about the status of aging issues in California.

A researcher who looks at the aging brain among healthy and not-so-healthy, Ober has analyzed how Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia affect how older people think and remember.

In her talk, Ober plans to dispel myths about aging and memory and explain differences between types of memory and how they are affected over time.

For instance, while memory for recent events is most impacted by aging, memory for one's language and other types of "world knowledge," as well as memory for rules and procedures (such as card games), is well maintained.

Besides Ober's talk on memory, topics include health promotion; legal issues and retirement; how volunteers can better work with the aged; and health, illness and optimal aging.