Final answer:
Functional age is a better measure of older adults' actual competence and performance, as it encompasses physical, cognitive, and social abilities, which are not solely dependent on chronological age.
Step-by-step explanation:
The age that indicates the actual competence and performance of older adults and may be higher or lower than chronological age is referred to as functional age. Functional age takes into account the physical, cognitive, and social capabilities of an individual, which may not align with their chronological years. It's a comprehensive measure reflecting how well a person functions in various aspects of life, as opposed to their simple time on Earth.
For example, while our crystallized intelligence, the knowledge, and skills accumulated over a lifetime, may remain stable or even improve as we age, our fluid intelligence, which includes processing speed, reasoning, and memory, may begin to decline. Mental and physical activities can help mitigate this decline. This individual variation emphasizes why functional age can be a better indicator of an older adult's capabilities than merely considering their chronological age.