Elderly Health Journal

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic condition characterized by gradual decline of mental abilities and behavioral disorders, which decreases the quality of life in elderly people. The aim of this study was to evaluate behaviors that may prevent elderly people from AD in Yazd.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 people aged from 60 to 70 years in Yazd. Cluster random sampling method was used for selecting the participants. Data collection instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire that included demographic information and questions on AD preventive behaviors (physical activity, mental activity, nutrition, and social interaction). The score range of each part and the overall behavior score was from zero to 100. Data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software and application of descriptive and inferential statistical methods.

Results: The mean score of preventive behaviors was 44.6. The highest mean score (56.48) was for nutrition while the lowest mean score (32.03) was for mental activity. Only 15 % of the studied elderly consumed fruit regularly in their diet, which was followed by consumption of vegetable, 11.4 % and fish 9.1 %. There was a significant positive correlation between education level and behavior score (p < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant gender difference (p > 0.05) in mean scores of the overall behavior and scores of married older adults compared to those of divorced or single, had a statistically significant difference (p = 0.007).

Conclusion: The overall AD preventive behaviors in elderly are undesirable, remarkably as noted in physical and mental domains. The majority of participants did not regularly have fruits, vegetables, and fish in their daily and weekly diets. Numerous socio-demographic factors affect these behaviors. More studies are required to identify barriers of healthy behaviors.