Discerning rural Appalachian stakeholder attitudes toward memory screening

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Rural Health

Background:

• Early dementia detection is crucial for managing cognitive impairment in rural, underserved older adults.
• Understanding stakeholder attitudes is vital for developing culturally relevant early detection programs.
• Benefits of early detection include timely treatment, symptom management, and improved care planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine Appalachian stakeholder attitudes toward routine memory screening.
• To compare these attitudes with those from a similar study in rural Florida.
• To inform the development of culturally sensitive dementia detection programs.

Main Methods:

• A parallel mixed-method design was employed.
• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with rural stakeholders (residents, health providers, administrators).
• Health literacy, sociodemographics, and cognitive screening perceptions were measured.

Main Results:

• Over 90% of participants supported routine cognitive screening for early dementia detection.
• Approximately 50% expressed doubts about the adequacy of provider care for terminal illness.
• Stigma concerns exist, but rural providers are encouraged to offer screening and education.

Conclusions:

• High support for routine memory screening exists across diverse rural populations.
• Addressing concerns about care adequacy is essential for effective dementia management.
• Educating rural communities about Alzheimer's disease and cognitive screening is recommended.