Search

Objective: This study assessed older adults' preferences for how to communicate dementia risk information to maximize motivation for behavior change., Method: Eighty-nine community-dwelling older adults (aged 61 to 92 years, M=72.93, SD=6.36, 76% women) received dementia risk factor information in 2 formats: "traffic lights" (green=risk absent, amber=risk emerging, and red=risk present) or red/risk-only. Participants reported motivation to change risk-related behaviors, motivation to maintain good health behaviors, liking of the formats, categorical preference for traffic lights versus risk-only formats, reasons for preferences (open-ended), total applicable risks, and Motivation to Change Lifestyle and Health Behaviour for Dementia Risk Reduction., Results: Traffic lights presentation was more motivating ( Z =4.16, P <0.001), more liked ( Z =4.80, P <0.001), and preferred, N Traffic =71, N Red =14, χ 2 (1)=38.22, P <0.001, over risk-only. Self-efficacy and motivation to maintain good health behaviors were significant unique predictors of motivation to change risk-related behaviors following traffic lights presentation over age, sex, education, total applicable risks, perceived susceptibility, cues to action, and liking of the traffic lights presentation format. Themes indicated (1) traffic light presentation is informative and clear, and (2) green-light information increases self-efficacy., Conclusions: Traffic light presentation increases patient motivation to reduce dementia risk. Green-light information increases self-efficacy. Maximizing motivation through information presentation can decrease dementia prevalence., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study assessed older adults' preferences, attitudes, and motivations to understand and change their individual risk for developing dementia via screening in primary care settings. Eighty-six community-dwelling older adults (aged 60–91 years, M = 74.03, SD = 6.83) completed measures of behavioural intent to undergo dementia risk screening, response efficacy (i.e., belief that screening is useful), negative affective responses (e.g., risk screening results making individuals more scared about the future), motivation to change risk-related behaviours, level of social support, depression, and anxiety symptomatology. Overall, participants reported positive attitudes towards dementia risk screening and risk reduction. Two ordinal logistic regressions indicated that response efficacy was a significant predictor of behavioural intent to undergo dementia risk screening, whereas self-efficacy and family history of dementia were significant predictors of motivation to change risk-related behaviours. Barriers included lack of information, motivation, and self-control. Facilitators included access to formal and informal supports, and engagement with social and non-social activities. Dementia risk screening and risk reduction in primary care may be more desirable for those with a family history of dementia, high response efficacy, and high self-efficacy. Addressing barriers such as lack of information, motivation, and self-control may improve older adults' engagement with dementia risk reduction. What is already known about this topic: Lifestyle factors can be modified to reduce dementia risk; however, an understanding of the role of motivation to change these behaviours is limited. Age, sex, family history of dementia, and dementia carer experience have been linked to motivation to reduce dementia risk. There is very limited understanding of people's behavioural intent to undergo dementia risk screening in primary care. What this topic adds: Overall, older adults had positive attitudes towards dementia risk screening and risk reduction in primary care settings, and screening results mostly did not induce fear about the future. Response efficacy was a significant predictor of behavioural intent to undergo dementia risk screening, whereas self-efficacy and family history of dementia were significant predictors of motivation to change risk-related behaviours. Barriers to behaviour change were lack of information, motivation, and self-control. Facilitators were formal and informal supports, and social and non-social activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]