Help-seeking Response to Subjective Memory Complaints in Older Adults: Toward a Conceptual Model

Purpose: Subjective memory complaint is a term used to refer older adults who report memory prob-lems. Extensive literature exists on its etiology and impact on long-term cognitive decline, and some physicians consider it important in the early detection of dementia. Despite the salient features reported by both patients and clinicians, few people seek formal help for this complaint, and little research has inves-tigated the underlying reasons for this. The current study explored beliefs, attitudes, and help-seeking behaviors. Design and Methods: A qualita-tive study was carried out comprising of 18 face-to-face in-depth interviews. The primary aim was to compare and contrast experiences between people, who sought formal help (n = 9), recruited from a mem