Keep Your Brain HAP-B: Group Psychoeducation to Promote Behaviors which Support Healthy Brain Aging.

Abstract

Positive health behaviors can promote brain health with age. We developed a novel health education and implementation group for older Veterans called the "Healthy Aging Project: Brain" also known as HAP-B. We had these primary goals: provide psychoeducation, focus on 'what matters', improve awareness of health behaviors, and promote behavioral change through individualized goal-setting, monitoring, and support. The scientific literature + needs assessment-based content addresses 4 key areas: physical activity, sleep improvement, cognitive stimulation, and social interaction. Each of the 6 "classes" are 90 minutes long. Pre-pandemic n=37 Veterans across 6 groups participated. To mitigate health risk exposure and reach Veterans for whom travel is a barrier, we have adapted the group to a virtual format with n=18 participants across 3 virtual groups (another group is ongoing, n=6). This QA/QI project collects optional pre/post self-report measures which target satisfaction with the group, depressive symptoms, sleep quality, social support, and subjective well-being. Additions along the way include in-session self-ratings for targeted goal behavior adherence and a pre/post self-efficacy questionnaire. Our population tends to be predominantly male and White. Results and qualitative findings are promising. The group has successfully been run in 3 outpatient in-person settings: Mental Health Services, Geriatrics Memory Health Clinic, and Primary Care Mental Health Integration. In-person results suggest a significant decline in report of depressive symptoms. Lessons learned for implementation for both the in-person and virtual formats will be shared, as well as analyses on associations between self-efficacy and satisfaction with life over time. Future directions include ongoing data collection to increase power, continued efforts to increase participant diversity, and direct comparison of in-person vs virtual formats. We will also present our initiated adaptation for flexible use in long-term care facilities and among those with cognitive impairments.