Integrating self-efficacy and aging theories to promote behavior change and reduce stroke risk.

The increasing incidence of stroke has resulted in the establishment of secondary stroke prevention clinics. Such clinics have successfully reduced wait-to-treatment times for individuals diagnosed with transient ischemic attack or minor stroke. In addition to improving access to consultation, diagnosis, and treatment, healthcare clinics need to implement behavioral risk-reduction programs tailored to older adults to help them better adhere to treatment regimens. The integration of two social-psychological theories--(a) self-efficacy and (b) selection, optimization, and compensation-provide the foundation for an approach that could lead to the development of evidence-based behavioral risk-reduction programs for older adults at high risk of stroke.