Knowledge and motivation to adopt recommended health behaviours to reduce dementia risk among the elderly in Norway: a qualitative study

Objectives: Dementia is a major healthcare challenge; however, there is evidence that modifiable risk factors may contribute to reduce dementia risk. The aim of the study was to explore the knowledge and motivation for adopting recommended health behaviours among older adults in Norway. Study design: The study has a qualitative, descriptive design. Methods: Individual interviews were used for data collection. The study population comprised 15 participants, five men and 10 women, aged >73 years, recruited from a region in the centre of Norway. Interviews were analysed according to qualitative content analysis. Results: Three categories were identified and presented as the main findings, as follows: (1) sufficient knowledge about risk reduction for dementia, including the media as the main source of information; (2) current prevention activities and motivation for risk reduction, including physical, social and cognitive activities and a healthy diet; and (3) motivation for prevention of dementia from a life-course perspective, including experience of health problems, desire to live independently and limited awareness of dementia risk factors in midlife. Conclusions: To tailor information about the modifiable risk factors of dementia and develop preventive interventions, knowledge about motivating factors is essential. Promotion of healthy ageing is required in addition to addressing the fear of future illness and dependency. & COPY; 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Royal Society for Public Health. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Automated summary

This study aimed to explore the knowledge and motivation for adopting recommended health behaviours among older adults in Norway. Through individual interviews, it was found that older adults have some knowledge and motivation for reducing the risk of dementia, and various factors influence their willingness for prevention, including healthy diet, physical, social, and cognitive activities. Therefore, understanding the motivating factors of older adults is essential in developing preventive interventions, and promoting healthy aging is important.