Revitalizing preschool minds: a fresh approach to arts-based brain health interventions.

Introduction: Brain health interventions seek to cultivate enduring, health-promoting behaviors for an enhanced quality of life. Despite this objective, achieving sustained adoption and engagement of healthy lifestyle behaviors remains a challenge, prompting the exploration of innovative avenues for promoting brain health. The potential of integrating brain health education in younger populations is particularly promising, given the likelihood of these habits persisting into adulthood.

Towards cultural inclusion for older adults from culturally and linguistically diverse communities: A commentary on recent aged care reforms.

Objective: Due to the high and increasing number of older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds in Australia, it is essential to ensure that the upcoming Support at Home program and other new initiatives incorporate culturally responsive aged care provision. Failing to address these challenges perpetuates inequalities in access to quality care for CALD older adults.

Methods: This paper reviews recent reforms and initiatives in aged care, identifies culturally responsive provisions and proposes new approaches for upcoming reforms that focus on CALD older people and their support networks.

Effectiveness of an interactive brain health campaign on motivation for dementia risk reduction: a pretest-posttest evaluation.

Whilst dementia is a global health concern, recent research indicates that behaviour changes can reduce its risk. This study aimed to explore the impact of an interactive visual art exhibition on adults' motivation for dementia risk reduction. Participants (N = 165) completed the Motivation to Change Behaviour for Dementia Risk Reduction 10-item scale before and after the exhibition.

"Establishing healthy habits and lifestyles early is very important": parental views of brain health literacy on dementia prevention in preschool and primary school children.

Introduction: Parents have the potential to drive healthy lifestyle behaviors through educational initiatives. This study aims to understand the prevalent thoughts and perceptions parents have toward brain health educational programs for preschool and primary school settings, whilst also contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the role parents can play in the broader context of dementia reduction strategies and the cultivation of brain health awareness among children.

Methods: Parents with children aged between 2 and 11 years old were interviewed about their current knowledge of dementia, prior beliefs, current lifestyle factors and opinions on educating their children from a young age on the topic of dementia literacy.

Use of digital patient decision-support tools for atrial fibrillation treatments: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To assess the effects of digital patient decision-support tools for atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment decisions in adults with AF.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Eligibility Criteria: Eligible randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated digital patient decision-support tools for AF treatment decisions in adults with AF.

Barriers and facilitators to implementation of physical activity programs for individuals with dementia living in aged care homes: A systematic review.

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to the implementation of physical activity programs for residents with dementia in aged care homes.

Methods: A search was conducted using the databases Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, and ProQuest, and captured articles were assessed for inclusion in the review. Included studies were appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

Parental acceptance of brain health programs for preschool children: a mixed-methods study exploring barriers, facilitators and future approaches.

Background: Recent research proposes that as much as 40% of dementia risk is amendable. Promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors in early life through educational methods can cultivate habits that may decrease dementia risk in later life. This study explores parental acceptance of brain health programs tailored for preschool children, aiming to identify barriers and facilitators affecting parental and child engagement.

Acceptability of virtual reality to screen for dementia in older adults.

Background: Early detection of dementia and cognitive decline is crucial for effective interventions and overall wellbeing. Although virtual reality (VR) tools offer potential advantages to traditional dementia screening tools, there is a lack of knowledge regarding older adults' acceptance of VR tools, as well as the predictors and features influencing their adoption. This study aims to (i) explore older adults' perceptions of the acceptability and usefulness of VR diagnostic tools for dementia, and (ii) identify demographic predictors of adoption and features of VR applications that contribute to future adoption among older adults.

Perception of middle-aged and older adults towards mHealth apps: A comparative factor analysis between Australia and Germany.

Objective: Although evidence of the global effectiveness and usability of mobile health (mHealth) apps as non-drug interventions is growing, older adults often demonstrate low adoption rates of these apps. This study aims to identify the perspectives of older adults on introducing and adopting mHealth apps in Australia and Germany.

Materials And Methods: We conducted two online cross-sectional surveys to examine factors from contextual, technological and personal perspectives that influence older adults in mHealth app adoption.

Evaluation of an exercise program incorporating an international cycling competition: a multimodal intervention model for physical, psychological, and social wellbeing in residential aged care.

Background: The transition into residential aged care is frequently associated with a reduction in physical activity, social engagement, and emotional wellbeing. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of a 26-day international cycling competition (Road Worlds Competition for Seniors), incorporating elements of exercise, audiovisual cycling footage, social engagement, and gamification, on the physical, psychological, and social well-being of aged care residents. We aimed to use findings to inform the development of a multi-modal intervention model to maximise wellbeing for older adults.

"I know now that it's something that you can do something about": Deductive thematic analysis of experiences at an arts-based dementia risk reduction exhibit.

Dementia is one of the leading global health crises. Despite the devastating impacts of the illness, general population knowledge pertaining to risk reduction is still limited. Previous research on the impact of dementia risk reduction campaigns has largely focused on awareness rather than behaviour change.

Co-production processes for translation and validation of psychosocial assessments for older adults in aged care.

Objective: Given the diverse ethnic backgrounds of aged care clients, there is a critical requirement to translate psychosocial assessment tools into various languages to effectively evaluate social engagement and quality of life in older adults receiving aged care services. This study aimed to translate psychosocial tools into Turkish, Korean and Mandarin, the primary languages spoken by clients of an Australian community aged care provider.

Methods: A co-development approach encompassing forward and backward translations of the Australian Community Participation Questionnaire and ICEpop CAPability measure for Older people tools, along with focus group discussions involving bilingual staff (n = 7) and clients (n = 16), was employed to ensure precision and cultural relevance.

Development of a new computer simulated environment to screen cognition: assessing the feasibility and acceptability of Leaf Café in younger and older adults.

Background: Existing traditional cognitive screening tools for dementia have various limitations, including overreliance on tests assessing verbal memory and, to a lesser extent, on some aspects of executive functioning. Comprehensive neuropsychological assessment is sensitive to impairment but time-intensive and expensive. Virtual reality may provide a dynamic and unique understanding of cognitive performance and increase the ecological validity of cognitive assessment.

Associations between social networks, cognitive function, and quality of life among older adults in long-term care.

Background: Having rich social networks is associated with better physical and cognitive health, however older adults entering long-term care may experience an increased risk of social isolation and consequent negative impacts on cognitive function. Our study aimed to identify if there is an association between accessing specific types of services or activities within long-term care on social networks and cognition.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 96 residents from 2 aged care providers in New South Wales, Australia.

"Provided a window on the world and lessened my feeling of isolation": older adults' perceived COVID-19 impact and technology use in Australia during recurrent lockdowns.

Background: An informed understanding of older adults' perceptions of the impact (positive or negative) of recurrent COVID-19 long lockdowns is important for the development of targeted interventions and resources for future restrictions. This study aimed to understand self-reported impacts of COVID-19 recurrent restrictions on older adults and how technology has been used to mitigate these.

Methods: A cross-sectional national study of 257 community-dwelling older Australians based in Victoria (mean age = 67.

Exploring the usability of the virtual reality module LEAF CAFÉ: a qualitative think-aloud study.

Background: The global healthcare system faces increasing strain from our ageing population, primarily due to the growing prevalence of age-related health conditions such as dementia. While modern healthcare technology offers potential solutions, it frequently lacks user-friendliness for older adults. Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool for diagnosing cognitive impairment, offering innovative solutions where traditional methods may fall short.

Building digital solutions to support brain health prescribing in primary care: Where to begin?

National and international policy goals on healthy ageing and dementia risk reduction are yet to be fully realised in community healthcare settings. Disease modification strategies through lifestyle and social interventions are viable, evidence-based solutions to reduce age-related disease burden. However, prescribing lifestyle interventions targeting dementia risk in primary care remains deficient.

Breaking the barriers: overcoming dementia-related stigma in minority communities.

Dementia is a global health concern that affects individuals irrespective of their cultural or linguistic backgrounds. However, research has long recognized the pronounced stigma associated with dementia, particularly within Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. This article seeks to summarize the underlying factors contributing to the heightened levels of dementia stigma within CALD communities, through a review of the literature.

"VR is the future": perspectives of healthcare professionals on virtual reality as a diagnostic tool for dementia status in primary care.

Background: Healthcare professionals (HPs) hold critical perspectives on the barriers and facilitating factors for the implementation of virtual reality (VR) dementia diagnosis tools in the clinical setting. This study aims to explore HP perspectives regarding the clinical implementation of dementia diagnosis tools using VR platforms.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative interview study was carried out between July and September 2022.

Beyond memory: exploring the value of social cognition for older adults with neurocognitive disorders.

Neurocognitive disorders involves progressive decline in cognition, function, behavior and needs. Recent developments have identified the need to characterize social cognition in individuals with neurocognitive impairments to support uncertainty in clinical decision making, treatment plans and monitoring individual change. Routine social cognition assessments have thus been more recently used and adopted in persons with dementia or mild cognitive impairment.

The roots of healthy aging: investigating the link between early-life and childhood experiences and later-life health.

Whilst early-life conditions have been understood to impact upon the health of older adults, further exploration of the field is required. There is a lack of consensus on conceptualising these conditions, and interpretation of experiences are socially and culturally dependent.To advance this important topic we invite authors to submit their research to the Collection on 'The impact of early-life/childhood circumstances or conditions on the health of older adults'.

Older adults' perspectives towards optimizing lifestyle behaviors and strategies to support healthy brain ageing during COVID-19 restrictions.

Introduction: It is unknown how the impact of COVID-19 restrictions has affected brain healthy behaviors that contribute to dementia risk reduction in older adults. Our aim was to explore perspectives of older adults on lifestyle behaviors that support positive brain health and dementia risk reduction during and following COVID-19 restrictions.

Methods: Community-dwelling older Australians ( = 159) during June to October 2021 (the second wave of COVID-19 restrictions) who had taken part in a pre-post dementia risk reduction intervention program were invited to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on their lifestyle behaviors.

To be or not to be: Arts-based approaches in public health messaging for dementia awareness and prevention.

Objectives: Multiple modifiable risk factors exist across the lifespan to reduce dementia prevalence, and public understanding of these factors is increasing. Yet dementia is frequently misunderstood and stigmatised, and dementia prevention is not generally recognised as a health priority. Current limitations of public health campaigns for dementia prevention must be addressed and innovative alternatives developed to improve public comprehension and implementation of preventative action across all stages of life.