Supplementary Materials for: Improving Dementia Risk Factor Knowledge in Rural Older Adults Through a Single, Community-Based Psychoeducational Session

Background and Objectives: Knowledge about modifiable risk factors for brain health is low in community samples, especially in rural settings where dementia risk is disproportionally high. To address this disparity, we developed a brief, brain health psychoeducation session for older adults living in rural communities. We evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and short-term effectiveness of the session, as well as demographic correlates of dementia risk factor knowledge. Research Design and Methods: This single-arm educational session trial consisted of four in-person educational sessions conducted in Arkansas, a rural Southeastern U.S. state. Community-dwelling older adults (N=198, age=75.8±9.8, 75%female, 89.8%White, 70.6% post-high school education) completed questionnaires about brain health risk factor knowledge before and after a 45-minute evidence-based educational session. Attendees also provided feedback regarding session acceptability, perceived usefulness, and motivation for future behavior change. Results: More than 95% of attendees found the session helpful, easily understood, and applicable. Attendees significantly increased their knowledge about brain health risk factors, with large effect sizes (ps