Insight into the feasibility and acceptability of a multi-lifestyle dementia risk reduction intervention

Laura Dodds, Joyce Siette*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractpeer-review

Abstract

Lifestyle interventions based on behaviour change principles may provide a useful mechanism in reducing dementia risk amongst older adults, however intervention acceptability remains relatively unexplored. We assessed the feasibility and acceptability of BRAIN BOOTCAMP, an Australian initiative aiming to improve dementia literary and reduce dementia risk by delivering a brain health box addressing multiple lifestyle factors through education, physical prompts and an individualised brain health profile. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with participants (N=94) at completion of the program (3-months) using a theoretical sampling approach to select a range of participants with varying brain health scores, age, gender, education and locality. Interview topics included participants’ overall experience and suggestions for program improvement. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Participants were mostly female (79%), with a mean age of 72.6 years (SD=5.4), from an English-speaking background (89.4%) and resided in metropolitan areas (76.6%). Participants positively perceived the program, resulting in high usability and acceptability. Valuable aspects included building dementia awareness in an innovative way, and having re-assessments which identified areas for personal improvement. Participants further discussed how the program prompted lifestyle change, including setting goals (e.g., physical) and facilitated a general awareness of their brain health. Suggested improvements included shorter surveys, regular check-ins, and specific tailoring of the program to be more inclusive for older adults with varying levels of health. Our study demonstrated that a simple, innovative program could be a promising medium for delivering comprehensive educational resources and induce lifestyle change for older adults.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - 10 Nov 2021
EventGerontological Society of America 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting - Online, Phoenix, United States
Duration: 11 Nov 202113 Nov 2021

Conference

ConferenceGerontological Society of America 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting
Abbreviated titleGSA
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPhoenix
Period11/11/2113/11/21

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