Benefiting from digital use: Prospective association of Internet use with knowledge and preventive behaviors related to Alzheimer’s disease in the Israeli Survey of Aging
ABSTRACT
Background:
Previous work documented the beneficial association between Internet use and improved cognition, functional capacity, and less cognitive decline among people in late adulthood. The present work focused on potential mechanisms of such an association: knowledge on Alzheimer’s Disease and uptake of preventive behaviors related to Alzheimer’s Disease.
Objective:
Examine prospective associations of Internet use and perceived computer skills with the health processes of knowledge on Alzheimer’s Disease and uptake of preventive behaviors related to Alzheimer’s Disease.
Methods:
The sample included 1300 older adults (M age = 70.31, SD = 9.19) that participated in the Israeli branch of the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE-Israel) collected during 2015 (Wave 6) and 2017 (Wave 7).
Results:
Though both Internet use and perceived computer skills were prospectively associated with knowledge and behaviors related to Alzheimer’s Disease in bi-variate analyses, after controlling for socio-demographics, only Internet use was associated with more knowledge and behavior. Additionally, Internet use mediated the associations of education with both knowledge and behavior.
Conclusions:
Internet use emerged as prospective predictor of protective factors against Alzheimer’s Disease. Policymakers should advance digital engagement so as to enhance these health-related processes among older adults.
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