Practical approaches to lifestyle interventions for enhancing brain health in older adults: A selective narrative review

Abstract

Background

As the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias increases worldwide, it is increasingly important to help middle-aged and older adults develop brain health lifestyles.

Method

We conducted a selective review of studies on the use of shared decision-making, psychoeducation, and behavior change techniques to promote healthy behaviors in adults. We then synthesized results into a model that can be implemented in clinical practice to promote brain healthy lifestyles.

Results

Selected research supports the usefulness of these techniques in promoting health behaviors. The integrative model allows us to generate specific hypotheses about implementation strategies, testing of which could help in the development of a practical intervention.

Conclusions

Shared decision-making, psychoeducation, and behavior change techniques each could provide valuable support for individuals’ efforts at developing brain health lifestyles. The integrative model proposed here may be useful in generating specific hypotheses that can be tested in the process of developing an intervention that could be clinically implemented.