The primary aim of this study is to conduct an exploratory pilot study to examine feasibility and outcomes of a culturally/religiously-tailored church-based dementia screening intervention among older adult African American church members and community members who use church outreach services in 4 African American churches (N=100). Our secondary outcomes are to assess the impact of the intervention on dementia-related stigma and linkage to care. Intervention content is based on the Theory of Planned Behavior; intervention delivery is based on the Social-Ecological Model - both guided by a faith community engagement approach. Trained faith leaders will deliver the tailored intervention through multilevel church outlets: individual self-help resources (e.g., risk checklist, commitment to screening cards); group ministry discussion guides/seminar on dementia; church-wide services using sermon guides, responsive readings, and church bulletin inserts; and church-community level text messages, dementia screening, and linkage to care services. Two screening events will be held at each church. We will also conduct a process evaluation that will include post-test study focus groups.~Specific Aim 1. Test a religiously/culturally-tailored, church-based dementia screening intervention on receipt of dementia screening, stigma, and linkage to care use among an older adult African American church-populations at 4 months.~Hypothesis. The tailored church-based dementia screening intervention will evidence increased screening and linkage to care rates, and lower dementia-related stigma beliefs at 4 months.~Specific Aim 2. Evaluate predictors of receipt of dementia screening at 4 months among older adult African American church-populations to determine modifiable screening facilitators/barriers.~Specific Aim 3. Conduct a process evaluation to examine study intervention implementation facilitators, barriers, and dose along with exposure and satisfaction to identify essential intervention components.
This pilot study plans to examine feasibility and outcomes of a culturally/religiously-tailored church-based dementia screening intervention among older adult African American church members and community members who use church outreach services in 4 African American churches.