Brain Bootcamp: the effect of a behaviour change intervention on brain health in older adults

Brain Bootcamp is a pre-post trial that will be conducted in Sydney. Participants aged over 65 years old living independently in the community are asked to generate a brain health risk profile (calculated using the LIBRA index) at baseline and assess change therein at three month follow-up. The intervention has multiple facets. It uses goal-setting for behaviour, education awareness and prompts to reduce brain health risk among older adults. During the intervention, participants will receive in the mail a resource pack containing their individual risk profile, educational booklet on dementia risk factors (designed specifically for this study) and five physical items designed to prompt physical, social and mental activity, and better nutrition. These items are a calendar, a pedometer, one olive oil jar, one balsamic vinegar jar and one pack of brain teaser cards. These will be delivered individually to each participant. The intervention will only occur once. Please note that the booklet will be personalised to reflect the individual dementia risk profile (based on their response to the questionnaire). This is to support the goal setting process where each adult is asked to provide attainable goals in a way that benefits themselves (e.g., if physical activity was highlighted as poor and contributed to their high dementia risk, then the individual will be asked to write a goal for physical activity in their booklet e.g., 8000 steps a day). The participant's dementia risk profile is calculated using the ’LIfestyle for BRAin health’’ (LIBRA) index, which is shown to be a valid predictor of the development of dementia. The index is a weighted compound score of 12 modifiable risk and protective factors (i.e., hypertension, obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, physical inactivity, alcohol intake, smoking, depression, diet and cognitive activity), that can be targeted by lifestyle interventions and vascular risk management in primary care. Intervention adherence will not be assessed.