ERIC Number: EJ1467197
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Feb
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1090-1981
EISSN: EISSN-1552-6127
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Community Senior Center Intervention to Address Factors Related to Memory Screening Engagement
Tessa S. Lundquist1,2; Rebecca E. Ready1; Alice E. Coyne3
Health Education & Behavior, v52 n1 p38-48 2025
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.
Descriptors: Older Adults, Memory, Screening Tests, Outreach Programs, Community Involvement, Community Education, Intervention, Knowledge Level, Self Efficacy, Dementia
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Massachusetts
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA; 2VA Boston Healthcare System, Brockton, MA, USA; 3Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA