Community Senior Center Intervention to Address Factors Related to Memory Screening Engagement

Abstract

There are many individual and societal benefits to screen older adults for memory problems. Four theoretically derived psychosocial factors are predictive of dementia screening intention: perceived benefits, perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, and knowledge about memory. The current study tested whether these factors could be modified with an educational memory screening intervention given in community senior centers. An educational presentation was designed to address these factors by increasing knowledge about memory and aging, discussing the benefits of screening and older adults’ susceptibility to memory issues, and increasing self-efficacy by teaching about the memory screening process, discussing a vignette, and fielding participants’ questions. The educational presentation was offered four times at three community senior centers. Quantitative data on the psychosocial factors were collected before and after the presentation from 44 older adult participants (age M = 78.70, SD = 7.21). Narrative data on satisfaction and feedback about the intervention were collected. Hierarchical linear modeling analyses were performed to measure change from pre- to post-presentation and follow-up 1 to 2 weeks after the intervention. The educational presentation effectively increased knowledge about aging memory, perceived benefits of screenings, and self-efficacy to seek screening. The presentation intervention was well received by community participants. Results provide guidance about how an intervention based in community senior centers can be refined to address factors predictive of memory screening intention in older adults.