New research on rural dementia risk, prevention

A new research project by the University of South Australia hopes to better understand whether people living in regional and rural Australia are more likely to develop dementia and what tailored preventative strategies can be introduced.

Close to 425,000 Australians are living with dementia, and it is estimated more than one million will be living with dementia by 2065.

Dementia is also the leading cause of death in Australia, yet little research has been done on whether living in regional or rural areas leads to higher risk of developing dementia. The Re-ACTIVate project will instead build on previous UniSA research that found the way older people spend their time can affect their cognition and brain volume.

The six-month project will see researchers assess modifiable dementia risk factors among older people living in rural areas and then co-design a practical prevention toolkit with easy-to-follow resources that helps people gain more knowledge on how to reduce the risk of developing dementia and keep their brains healthy for longer.

Lead researcher and cognitive ageing expert Associate Professor Ashleigh Smith said throughout the project they will be directly comparing dementia risk factors and brain health between rural and urban adults.

She added that while dementia is often considered an inevitable part of ageing, a change in everyday behaviours could prevent nearly half of cases.

“We know there are at least 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia, which include things like smoking, diet, exercise and social isolation and we have data on how these risk factors affect people living in Australian cities,” Associate Professor Smith said.

“We also know that people living in rural and remote communities face different challenges, including access to health services, continuity of care, fewer places to be physically active, and different work and social patterns.

“This project will examine the lifestyle behaviours that increase dementia risk in rural and regional communities, then work with those same communities to co-design early prevention strategies.”

Associate Professor Smith said that by partnering with local people, they hope to develop an “appropriate, scalable and tailored toolkit that genuinely reflects the realities of the rural and regional communities.”

“Our project is about equity – making sure that people living in the country have the same opportunities to protect their brain health as those in the city,” she said.

“By putting rural communities at the centre of the solution, this project could help transform dementia prevention and improve outcomes for generations to come.”

PhD candidate and UniSA researcher Britt Burton said there is a critical need for a targeted dementia risk public health strategy in regional and rural Australia and that although these communities are “strong, resourceful and deeply connected,” health services are often stretched across vast distances and many younger people end up moving to cities.

This leaves communities with fewer supports and opportunities, particularly for older people who want to stay healthy, connected and active, she added.

“Knowing this, it’s vital that we work with rural people to develop public health strategies that will specifically reduce dementia risk. They know their communities best and are central to creating practical solutions that will reduce dementia risk and keep rural and regional areas thriving,” Ms Burton said.

The team is currently looking for participants aged 60-80 from the Yorke Peninsula for the Re-ACTIVate study and adults aged 18 and over from Port Lincoln and Berri for co-design sessions. An online option for co-design sessions is being explored for further reach.

Associate Professor Smith and Ms Burton told Community Care Review they are particularly looking for people to participate in the toolkit co-design process and people currently living in rural South Australia.

Interest can be registered by emailing Britt Burton at britt.burton@mymail.unisa.edu.au.

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