Health behaviours and dementia literacy among Indigenous older adults during COVID-19

Title

Health behaviours and dementia literacy among Indigenous older adults during COVID-19

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Description

Globally, there is a much higher prevalence of dementia in Indigenous peoples compared to non-Indigenous populations. Moreover, Indigenous older adults can experience an earlier onset of dementia by up to 10 years compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. COVID-19 has negatively impacted many health behaviours that are risk factors for dementia, including reducing physical activity, worsening diet, and increasing sedentary time, among others. However, research has yet to examine whether COVID-19 has negatively impacted the health behaviours of Indigenous older adults specifically. Furthermore, it is not currently known whether Indigenous older adults are aware of the health behaviours, among other factors, that are known risk factors of dementia. This study aims to examine the health behaviours of Canadian Indigenous older adults during COVID-19, compared to before COVID-19, and assess their knowledge of dementia risk factors. The study design and methodology consist of mixed methods and survey research. The online questionnaire combines validated questionnaires in their entirety as well as specific questions pulled from additional validated questionnaires. Interview questions include a fully PAGE 8 validated questionnaire, as well as questions created based on previous qualitative studies that were literature-informed. Findings from the study may help inform areas for improved education in Indigenous older adults on the topic of dementia and determine how resources that promote healthy active living may be improved in this population during the COVID-19 pandemic and afterwards.

Publication Date

8-3-2021

Keywords

Head and Heart, COVID-19, dementia literacy, health behaviours

Disciplines

Indigenous Education

Health behaviours and dementia literacy among Indigenous older adults during COVID-19

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