The Effect of Health Belief Model-Based Education on Knowledge and Behavior Modification Motivation Regarding Dementia in Older Adults
The Effect of Health Belief Model-Based Education on Knowledge and Behavior Modification Motivation Regarding Dementia in Older Adults
While age is one of the strongest known risk factors for the onset of dementia, dementia is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Several modifiable risk factors, such as physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, depression, and social isolation, increase the risk of developing dementia (WHO, 2025). Positive health beliefs and attitudes toward preventing or reducing the risk of dementia can encourage individuals to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors (Vrijsen et al., 2021). Many studies in the literature have investigated the effects of lifestyle interventions on dementia prevention and reported that adhering to a healthy lifestyle can improve cognitive function and reduce or delay the risk of dementia (An et al., 2025; Siette 2023; Lee et al., 2022). The Health Belief Model argues that individuals' health behaviors are influenced by their beliefs, values, and attitudes (Gözüm & Çapık, 2014). Considering individuals' beliefs and attitudes towards health, the education and treatment offered can be tailored to the individual and their benefit can be ensured (Gözüm & Çapık, 2014; Li et al., 2022). Within the framework of the Health Belief Model, it has been stated that reducing the perceived barriers in individuals in the intervention process aimed at preventing dementia is a fundamental factor in strengthening their beliefs about dementia prevention and encouraging the development of healthy behavioral habits (Li et al., 2022). Therefore, it is thought that Health Belief Model-based education applied to the elderly may have an effect on individuals' level of knowledge about dementia and their motivation to change behaviors to reduce the risk of dementia.
While age is one of the strongest known risk factors for the onset of dementia, dementia is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Several modifiable risk factors, such as physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, depression, and social isolation, increase the risk of developing dementia (WHO, 2025). Positive health beliefs and attitudes toward preventing or reducing the risk of dementia can encourage individuals to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors (Vrijsen et al., 2021). Many studies in the literature have investigated the effects of lifestyle interventions on dementia prevention and have reported that adhering to a healthy lifestyle can improve cognitive function and reduce or delay the risk of dementia (An et al., 2025; Siette 2023; Lee et al., 2022). One of the models underlying research on the prevention or reduction of symptoms of dementia is the Health Belief Model (Lee et al., 2022). The Health Belief Model provides an effective guide in evaluating factors affecting health-protective and health-promoting behaviors, as well as individuals' adherence to treatment (Gözüm & Çapık, 2014). However, a review of the literature indicates that intervention and education studies based on the Health Belief Model for dementia prevention need to be increased (Lee et al., 2022; An et al., 2025). Therefore, it is thought that Health Belief Model-based education applied to the elderly may have an effect on individuals' knowledge level regarding dementia and their motivation to change behaviors to reduce the risk of dementia.
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