Which term best describes a measure based on a person’s abilities rather than years lived?

• A. Chronological age
• B. Fluid intelligence
• C. Crystallized intelligence
• D. Functional age

Answer: (D)

Functional age describes a person’s level of functioning in daily life, determined by abilities rather than how many years they have lived. This matters because two people with the same calendar age can function very differently; functional age captures health, mobility, independence, and the ability to perform daily tasks. Chronological age is just the passage of time, while the other terms refer to cognitive abilities—fluid intelligence is problem-solving in novel situations, and crystallized intelligence is accumulated knowledge. Those cognitive categories don’t describe daily functioning, whereas functional age does. For example, an older adult who can manage medications, prepare meals, handle finances, and travel independently may have a younger functional age than someone the same calendar age who needs extensive assistance.