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Teaching primary prevention of Alzheimer's disease: does it make a difference?
Carolyn K Clevenger1, Shileah Cantey, Mary Ellen Quinn
1Department of Veterans' Affairs, Decatur, GA, and Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
Journal of Primary Care & Community Health
|June 28, 2013
Summary
This study shows that an educational program significantly increased older adults' confidence and expectations for adopting Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk-reducing behaviors. The program improved outcome expectations for adopting behaviors linked to reduced AD risk.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major concern for older adults, with no current cure.
- Research identifies lifestyle behaviors that may reduce AD risk.
- Community programs are emerging to educate the public on AD risk reduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a health education program on older adults' expectations for behavior change related to Alzheimer's disease risk reduction.
- To assess changes in efficacy expectations and outcome expectations following the educational intervention.
Main Methods:
- A pretest-posttest design with an experimental group (n=33) and a control group (n=20) of older adults in a continuing care retirement community.
- Weekly classes covered cardiovascular health, diet, and mental stimulation in relation to AD risk.
- Data collected to compare between-group and within-group changes in expectations.
Main Results:
- The experimental group showed significant increases in both efficacy expectations (P = .016) and outcome expectations (P = .000) compared to the control group.
- Within the experimental group, outcome expectations related to literature-derived behaviors significantly increased (P = .000).
Conclusions:
- The educational program positively influenced older adults' confidence and expectations regarding AD risk-reducing behaviors.
- Findings support the potential of targeted health education for promoting proactive health behaviors in aging populations.
- Further research should explore diverse populations and focus on translating expectations into action and prevention.
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