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Community-dwelling older adults with memory loss: needs assessment
Karen Parsons1, Aimee Surprenant, Anne-Marie Tracey
1Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, NL A1B 3V6. karenp@mun.ca
Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
|March 15, 2013
Summary
Older adults with mild memory loss need better access to resources and support for their memory concerns. Many feel unaware of available help and hesitant to discuss issues with doctors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Health
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Mild memory loss affects many community-dwelling older adults.
- Understanding their specific needs is crucial for effective support.
- Existing resources may be underutilized or unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the health-related needs of community-dwelling older adults experiencing mild memory loss.
- To explore their perspectives on memory issues, available resources, and barriers to care.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study employing semistructured interviews and focus groups.
- Narrative data collected from 22 adults (58-80 years) in Newfoundland.
- Interpretive phenomenologic analysis of transcribed data.
Main Results:
- Participants experience daily life impacts from forgetfulness.
- Limited knowledge of and access to support resources was a key finding.
- Hesitancy to discuss memory problems with family doctors was prevalent.
Conclusions:
- Older adults with mild memory loss require accessible resources for understanding and support.
- Addressing knowledge gaps about available services is essential.
- Facilitating open communication about memory concerns with healthcare providers is important.
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