Older adults' views on training tools to prevent cognitive decline

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Digital Health

Background:

• Computerized cognitive training platforms offer potential for older adults to maintain cognitive health.
• Commercial availability of these tools raises questions about their adoption without external prescription.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore self-initiated experiences of community-dwelling older adults with cognitive training.
• To understand factors influencing engagement with digital cognitive health tools.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 adults aged 58-85 years.
• Participants included university retirees and public housing residents.
• Thematic analysis was used to analyze interview data.

Main Results:

• No participants reported voluntary use of cognitive training platforms.
• Previous users described negative experiences with cognitive training.
• Preference for inherently enjoyable and organic activities significantly shaped engagement.

Conclusions:

• A significant mismatch exists between older adults' priorities and currently available cognitive training interventions.
• Access and interest pose challenges, particularly for low-income and minority older adults.
• Future interventions should prioritize alignment with user preferences for greater effectiveness.