Attitudes towards dementia prevention in Austria-Results of an exploratory study

Changes in lifestyle could reduce dementia cases by 45%. Successful international prevention initiatives show the importance of involving primary target groups early in the process of program development.

The aim of this study was to explore (1) the knowledge about dementia/brain health, (2) offers of activities related to dementia prevention in the community and (3) the feasibility of introducing the experience of art as a brain health-promoting method in a sample of community-dwelling older persons.

Senior volunteers from the community were invited to a workshop and a follow-up telephone interview. During the workshop, participants received expert input on dementia/brain health followed by several group discussion rounds using a "World Café" approach. After 6 weeks, participants were invited to a structured telephone interview.

A total of 26 persons participated in the workshop, 20 of whom (mean age: 70.60 years) took part in the telephone interview. The workshop data revealed 4 main needs: (1) more information on dementia/brain health (2) a broader offer of activities for physical/mental stimulation in the community (3) the definition of a "brain health strategy", and (4) development of specific services to experience art. The telephone interviews revealed a high motivation to start with dementia prevention but appropriate services are missing in the communities.

Our findings provide first insights into attitudes towards dementia prevention/brain health in an Austrian sample of senior citizens. People need information about the potential of dementia prevention and specific services need to be developed in the communities.