The Dunedin dementia risk awareness project: pilot study in older adults

Abstract

Aims:The USA and UK governmental and academic agencies suggest that up to 35% of dementia cases are preventable. We canvassed dementia risk and protective factor awareness among New Zealand older adults to inform the design of a larger survey.Method:The modified Lifestyle for Brain Health scale quantifying dementia risk was introduced to a sample of 304 eligible self-selected participants.Results:Two hundred and sixteen older adults (≥50 years), with mean ± standard deviation age 65.5 ± 11.4 years (50–93 years), completed the survey (71% response rate). Respondents were mostly women (n = 172, 80%), European (n = 207, 96%), and well educated (n = 100, 46%, with a tertiary qualification; including n = 17, 8%, with a postgraduate qualification). Around half of the participants felt that they were at a future risk of living with dementia (n = 101, 47%), and the majority felt that this would change their lives significantly (n = 205, 95%), that lifestyle changes would reduce their risk (n = 197, 91%), and that they could make the necessary changes (n = 189, 88%) and wished to start changes soon (n = 160, 74%). Only 4 of 14 modifiable risk or protective factors for dementia were adequately identified by the participants: physical exercise (81%), depression (76%), brain exercises (75%), and social isolation (83%). Social isolation was the commonly cited risk factor for dementia, while physical exercise was the commonly cited protective factor. Three clusters of brain health literacy were identified: psychosocial, medical, and modifiable.Conclusion:The older adults in our study are not adequately knowledgeable about dementia risk and protective factors. However, they report optimism about modifying risks through lifestyle interventions.

Psychological Effects of Social Isolation During the COVID-19 Pandemic 2020

“…Stewart et al (2014) examined the difference in the prevalence of dementia in different types of nursing homes, revealing an overall prevalence of around 75% dementia (10% mild dementia, 25% moderate dementia and 40% severe dementia), with the lowest prevalence in homecare. Modifiable risk factors for dementia include smoking, lack of physical activity, depression, poor memory training, and social isolation, the latter being the largest factor (Barak et al, 2019). Isolation and loneliness are significant risk factors for the development and progression of dementia.…”

Determinants of Perceived Own Risk for Developing Dementia and the Perception That Memory Deterioration Is Preventable. Findings From the General Adult Population in Germany

“…Our outcome measures had a high face validity. Furthermore, similar measures were also used in other recent studies (8,11). Nevertheless, our findings are based on cross-sectional data and should be validated by using longitudinal data, and based on more elaborated scales (for example, see the questionnaire used in the study conducted by Heger et al (9).…”

“…With regard to the perception that memory deterioration is preventable (second outcome measure of our current study), only one recent study of individuals 50 years or older found that individuals show optimism about modifying dementia risk through lifestyle interventions (n = 216) (8). We are not aware of other studies investigating this outcome.…”

“…To date, only one recent study has examined dementia risk and protective factor awareness among older adults (8). In a study conducted in New Zealand, 47% of individuals felt that they were at a future risk of developing dementia.…”

Public perceptions of brain health: an international, online cross-sectional survey

“…Qualitative studies conducted in the UK12 13 and elsewhere in Europe14 showed varying awareness of actions beneficial for the brain, and emphasised the importance of providing people with evidence-based and trustworthy information to encourage adoption of brain-friendly behaviours. Studies conducted in Australia and New Zealand have also reported limited knowledge about cognitive health and Alzheimer’s disease (AD)15 and potential measures to reduce risk of dementia and cognitive decline 16–19. A 2015 systematic review of public perceptions about risk and protective factors for cognitive health and impairment concluded that although some awareness was present regarding risk factors for cognitive impairment, efforts should be made to provide the general public with accurate information regarding risk-reducing strategies 20…”