Effects of dementia knowledge and dementia fear on comfort with people having dementia: Implications for dementia-friendly communities

Life story templates in dementia care: Ambiguous direction and purpose

BACKGROUND

The use of life stories in dementia care has been described as a way of seeing every person as an individual, looking beyond their dementia. Life stories have become synonymous with high-quality care, while in Sweden their mere existence in dementia care settings is taken to indicate quality in national comparisons. Such life stories are often standardised, generated by a family member answering predetermined questions in a template.

AIM AND METHODS

Using a constructionist approach, this study will (1) chart what versions of a person's life story the templates produce, and (2) establish the intended purpose of such life stories, as communicated by the templates. This study departs from the assumption that life story templates communicate something about the conceptions of people living with dementia. The thematic analysis used data comprising 30 blank templates, totalling about 1,700 questions.

FINDINGS

The life story templates were found to generate two very different versions of the individual: (1) a person before symptoms of dementia or (2) a patient with dementia. We also found contradictions about what information should be included, whose life story it was, and the intended use.

DISCUSSION

Despite strong pressure on dementia care providers to collect life stories from residents, the life story templates they use are without clear direction, ideology, or purpose. The lack of direction is key given that life stories can be considered actants that shape assumptions about people with dementia and construct realities in dementia care settings. We highlight the need to develop ethical guidelines for life story template design, matched with guidelines for their intended use.

Biomedical knowledge of dementia is not enough to counteract its stigma - quantitative research among future medical and social care staff in Poland

OBJECTIVES

The aim is to assess the level of stigmatization and knowledge of dementia among university students of medical, rehabilitation and social faculties in Poland. Possible correlates of these concepts and group differences are also investigated.

METHODS

We applied quantitative methods using an online questionnaire comprising sociodemographics, the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale, a vignette of a person with dementia and the modified Family Stigma in Alzheimer's Disease Scale.

RESULTS

Students had low levels of dementia knowledge and moderate levels of stigma. Medical science students had significantly better knowledge than the other groups but did not differ in their level of stigma. Relationships between the main variables were complex. Emotional and cognitive stigmatizing attributions were negatively correlated with knowledge about communication and behaviors of people with dementia. Better knowledge on causes and characteristics, as well as on risks and health promotion of the disease also triggered fewer negative attributions toward people with dementia.

CONCLUSIONS

If health-related programs are to be effective, they should provide opportunities for the acquisition of relevant knowledge and skills that also address the stigmatization of people living with dementia. Well-established biomedical knowledge on dementia must be supplemented with a person-centered approach and proper communication skills.

Competency development for a volunteer navigation program to support caregivers of people living with dementia: A modified e-Delphi method

Caregivers of people living with dementia are pillars of the care community. Providing them with adequate support throughout their caregiving journey is essential to their quality of life and may also contribute to improving the care of people living with dementia. Nav-CARE (Navigation - Connecting, Advocating, Resourcing, Engaging) is a volunteer-led navigation program that provides support to older adults with life-limiting illnesses who are living in the community. However, Nav-CARE does not provide support directly to caregivers of people living with dementia. To adapt Nav-CARE to support caregivers, we needed to establish caregivers' needs and the competencies volunteer navigators should be trained in to support caregivers to meet these needs. To do so, a modified e-Delphi method was utilized, which consisted of administering three sequential questionnaires to a panel of 35 individuals with expertise in a variety of dementia related domains. Through this, two final lists of 46 caregivers' needs and 41 volunteer competencies were established to inform the development of volunteer navigator training curriculum. Findings suggest that trained volunteer navigators may be able to support caregivers of people living with dementia throughout the disease trajectory and can be used to inform the development of future dementia navigation programs.

Barriers to Informational Support for Care Partners of People With Aphasia After Stroke

BACKGROUND

Care partners of people with aphasia after stroke need various informational supports, such as aphasia education and resources for psychosocial support. However, informational support may vary across clinicians, and access to these supports remains a persistent unmet need. Using implementation science frameworks can help to assess the gap between what is known about an issue and what is occurring in practice.

AIM

The aim was to identify barriers to providing informational support for care partners of people with aphasia after stroke.

METHOD AND PROCEDURE

We performed a secondary analysis of qualitative data collected from two of our previous studies. New themes were identified by comparing feedback from both speech-language pathologists and care partners, and previously assigned codes were interpreted relative to the Knowledge to Action (KTA) framework.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

We identified four implementation themes that were specifically related to the action cycle of the KTA framework: (a) Aphasia rehabilitation tends to exclude care partners, (b) aphasia rehabilitation can be hard to understand, (c) structure is lacking for care partner check-ins, and (d) care partner informational support rarely extends beyond the acute phases of recovery.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that changes are needed at both systemic and care provider levels to ensure that tailored information is provided to care partners of people with aphasia.

Dementia literacy of racially minoritized people in a Chinese society: a qualitative study among South Asian migrants in Hong Kong

OBJECTIVES

Research on dementia literacy in Chinese societies is still emerging, and this is especially the case among racially minoritized groups. The present study explored the knowledge, causal beliefs, and help-seeking behaviors of South Asian migrants in Hong Kong about dementia. It also investigated existing community barriers related to dementia knowledge and help-seeking.

DESIGN

We conducted a qualitative study from a purposive sample of 38 older people and family caregivers from India, Pakistan, and Nepal who lived in Hong Kong. Focus groups and individual in-depth interviews were used to gather information, while thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Five main themes were identified: normalization with stigmatization of dementia; spiritual and psychosocial attributions of dementia; familial responsibility despite potential caregiving burden; uncertainties versus openness to professional care; and barriers and opportunities in dementia literacy. Ethnic minorities recognized dementia as a disease of normal aging or a mental disorder. They also perceived spiritual and psychosocial factors as their main causes. While participants recognized the potential burden of dementia caregiving, families were their first point of help-seeking, as many of them expressed contrasting feelings of confidence or doubt toward professional services. Utilization of health education strategies, together with collaboration with community leaders, could address the barriers to dementia literacy.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to explore how ethnic minorities in Asia perceive dementia and its related help-seeking behaviors in their communities. South Asian migrants in Hong Kong have a limited understanding of dementia and may experience delays in obtaining relevant community services. While culture influenced their knowledge, health education may address their misperceptions and help-seeking behaviors toward dementia. Culture- and language-specific programs could also improve dementia knowledge and health service access.

Radiographers' knowledge and attitudes toward dementia

INTRODUCTION

Dementia is a syndrome associated with a decline in brain function, impacting how we speak, think, feel, and behave. Misunderstanding of dementia and how it affects patients and their carers is common. There is limited research on how radiographers provide adequate care to those with dementia. Radiographers with knowledge and positive attitudes can reduce stigma and fear, improving the quality of care. This study aimed to assess radiographers' knowledge and attitudes towards dementia.

METHODS

A cohort of registered radiographers in Ireland participated in an online survey. Two pre-existing validated questionnaires: The Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) and the Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS), assessed radiographers' knowledge and attitudes towards dementia and people with dementia. Scores were compared across variables such as gender, age, grade, qualification, work setting, and the number of years qualified.

RESULTS

A total of 123 radiographers responded. Knowledge scores did not significantly differ across demographic groups (p > 0.05). Total knowledge scores ranged from 60% to 100%. Total attitude scores ranged from 50% to 100%. Participants with a BSc, MSc, and other post-graduate degrees scored higher on the attitude scale than those with a diploma qualification (p = 0.027). Those with less than 20 years' experience scored higher than those with more. Knowledge had little correlation with attitude (r = 0.0522; p = 0.5667).

CONCLUSION

Findings indicate variations in attitudes linked to age and experience, and some misconceptions can be observed across varying groups. Interventions to improve attitudes and raise awareness are needed.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

There is a need for further research and education on dementia care in the imaging department. We have identified areas requiring further education.

Association of Knowledge About Dementia with Two Dimensional Attitudes Among a Community Population in South Korea

BACKGROUND

Providing correct information about dementia and people living with dementia and improving the attitude toward the disease have important implications in overcoming prejudice and negative perceptions and strengthening the social support system. However, studies are limited about which aspects of dementia knowledge affect attitudes toward it and the influence of such knowledge on particular aspects of such attitudes.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined which part of dementia knowledge affects attitudes toward dementia and, furthermore, the influence of such knowledge on two aspects of attitudes in the general population.

METHODS

A population-based cross-sectional survey of 1,200 participants aged 20 years or older was adopted. A landline and wireless telephone survey was conducted from October 12 to October 22, 2021. The survey data included self-report questions about dementia knowledge, dementia attitudes, demographics, and family information. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Dementia knowledge was positively associated with global dementia attitudes. In terms of the relationship between the two dimensions of dementia attitudes and knowledge, the latter displayed a significant positive association with accepting attitudes (β= 0.119, p <  0.001) but not with affective attitudes (β= 0.07, p = 0.079). Among dementia knowledge, dementia symptom/diagnosis and policy categories were positively associated with accepting attitudes (β= 0.230, p = 0.004; β= 0.340, p <  0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that people with more dementia knowledge have more accepting attitudes toward dementia. It may be effective to continue education on dementia to improve the public accepting attitudes. However, to improve negative emotional attitudes toward dementia, various approaches beyond education may be needed.

Creating a Dementia Friendly Community in an African American Neighborhood: Perspectives of People Living with Dementia, Care Partners, Stakeholders, and Community Residents

A dementia friendly community allows people with dementia and their care partners to remain engaged in their community well into the disease. This study presents the results of primary research aimed at exploring perceptions regarding building a dementia friendly community in an African American neighborhood in northeast Florida. Twelve focus groups and five interviews were conducted with people living with dementia, informal and formal care partners, community stakeholders and neighborhood residents, and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Three main themes emerged from the analyses, including (1) perceived needs, (2) facilitators and barriers to being dementia friendly, and (3) opportunities for the community to become more dementia friendly. Study findings highlight the unique needs of a single African American neighborhood and the importance of culturally tailoring the dementia friendly model to diverse communities.

Dementia literacy and worry among older Chinese Americans in Arizona: a comparison between 2013 and 2017

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the change in dementia literacy and dementia worry over a 5-year span among older Chinese Americans living in Arizona.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENT

This study used survey data collected among a purposive sample of 703 community-dwelling Chinese Americans aged 55 years or older living in the metropolitan areas of Phoenix, Arizona, from 2013 to 2017. The average age of participants was 73.1 (SD = 8.7) and 64.2% were female. Dementia literacy was measured by dementia knowledge (knowledge about Alzheimer's disease and related dementia) and dementia beliefs (biased attitude toward dementia). Dementia worry was measured by assessing participants' fear toward and concerns of developing dementia.

RESULTS

Regression analyses found dementia knowledge decreased (p < 0.05) and dementia beliefs remained unchanged (p > 0.05) from 2013 to 2017 among participants. Dementia worry only increased among those who lived alone. Significant correlates of dementia worry included low formal education level, depressive symptoms, and family conflict.

CONCLUSIONS

Public health education targeting older Chinese Americans should aim to enhance dementia knowledge and to rectify their biased attitudes toward dementia. Psychosocial education or counseling should be available to older Chinese Americans who present dementia worry, particularly for those who live alone. More studies using diverse study designs, such as a longitudinal design, are needed to examine change in dementia literacy and worry among this population.

A Critical Study on the Impact of Dementia on Older People Undergoing Treatment in Care Homes

Maximum healthcare needs for older people are complex due to diseases, comorbidities, or disabilities, including long-term or mental and physical health issues. Various residential and nursing care homes help care for older people, especially those with special medical needs. Among these special medical needs, dementia is one medical condition requiring exceptional care for the affected to prevent adverse effects of the situation they usually encounter. Dementia is a health condition that involves impairments to memory and thinking due to any injury or disease-causing damage to the brain. Older people suffer from different diseases, which cause cognitive disability and long-term ailments and directly affect patients' quality of life. Given the cognitive impairment dementia causes to older people, it is difficult for the care providers to accurately assess the impact on every individual to formulate a person-centered care plan. During the COVID-19 pandemic, due to administrative restrictions on social distancing to prevent transmission of this disease, caregivers and elderly persons feel tremendous mental stress, further aggravating their problems because of loneliness. Thus, there is a requirement to do the study and analyze the effects on older people to provide quality and person-centered care. Due to the above factors as significant challenges in the current context, there is an ardent need for the results of variegated studies besides a thorough analysis of available literature analyzed to provide proper evidence to the care providers. It will pave the way for understanding the actual impact of the condition in its natural context. In this regard, a literature review and the results of the studies are discussed. This research brings into the limelight all those factors in the context of previous studies and data analysis of the current situation.

On becoming a dementia-friendly community: An empirical study of the individual factors that predict openness towards dementia-friendly communities

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Evidence suggests that limited public awareness and dementia-related stigma can create barriers to community inclusiveness. This study explored the relation between public knowledge of dementia, attitudes towards people with dementia, experience with dementia and openness towards dementia-friendly communities.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Two-hundred and twenty-nine members of the public completed a cross-sectional online survey with three established measures [Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Test, Attitudes Towards People with Dementia scale and Understanding of Health Problems survey] and one exploratory scale [Openness Towards Dementia-Friendly Communities]. An existing 'mild' dementia vignette was used to evaluate dementia recognition. Factors contributing to correct dementia recognition (knowledge, exposure to dementia, education and gender), worry about developing dementia (knowledge, exposure and respondent age), and openness towards dementia-friendly communities (knowledge, exposure and attitudes) were examined through group comparisons and a multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

Consistent with the literature, the respondents had poor knowledge, reasonably good dementia recognition, and mostly positive attitudes towards people with dementia. None of the proposed factors were significantly associated with correct dementia recognition, and only gender was significantly associated with dementia worry. Knowledge and attitudes towards people with dementia (not exposure) were significant independent predictors of openness towards dementia-friendly communities.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

The expansion of dementia-friendly communities will require further investment in awareness-raising initiatives to improve dementia knowledge and attitudes in the community. This study shows the importance of these factors in the broader community's openness towards dementia-friendly communities.

Comparisons of Dementia Knowledge and Attitudes among the Youth and Older Adults: Insights from the Construal Level Theory Perspective

Based on Construal Level Theory (CLT), the youth and older adults have different psychological distances towards dementia that may lead to different dementia knowledge and attitudes. A cross-sectional survey among 239 youth and 62 older adults using a two-step sampling approach in Macao aimed to examine the hypothesis. Results showed older adults had a higher score of dementia knowledge (F(1,299) = 45.692, p <0.001) but a lower score of dementia attitudes (F(1,299) = 161.887, p <0.001) compared to the youth. Age group explained the majority of the variances in the hierarchical multiple regressions for dementia knowledge (R2 = 0.178, F = 9.059, p < 0.001) and for dementia attitudes (R2 = 0.399, F = 24.233, p < 0.001), which are β = 0.47 and -0.56, respectively. Thus, the hypothesis was supported and revealed an interesting pattern of dementia knowledge and attitudes among the youth and older adults. From the CLT perspective, the study implies that reducing and bridging the psychological distance of dementia would probably be an effective strategy to increase dementia awareness among young people, and intergenerational programs may be a good option to increase community acceptance and support for people with dementia.

Intercepting Dementia: Awareness and Innovation as Key Tools

Dementia is a common feature of several age-related brain diseases, leading to a progressive cognitive decline. Due to a growing aging rate, dementia-related disorders currently affect around 50 million people worldwide and by 2050 this number is expected to reach 150 million. Additionally to patients, these neurodegenerative pathologies have a strong impact on family members, caretakers, and other health professionals, therefore representing a public health burden that in 2020 accounted for over 1 trillion USD and is projected to nearly double in the next decade. To overcome this devastating condition, many organizations and collaborative networks sustain that only a complete understanding of dementia in its different characteristics can drive the scientific community towards the development of effective therapeutic approaches aiming at preventing its onset and halting its progression.In this work, we discuss two topics that represent fundamental resources in fighting dementia: (i) the importance of raising awareness about this condition to avoid stigma and gauging investment; and (ii) the introduction of novel screening measures to prevent and potentially revert cognitive decline. Finally, we discern how knowledge-based advocacy will help the rollout of clinical trials and the development of novel and timely pharmacological interventions.

Fear about Alzheimer's disease among Israeli and German laypersons, persons with Mild Neurocognitive Disorder and their relatives: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVES

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common type of dementia, is one of the most feared diseases, obstructing help-seeking, and leading to discrimination. While research interest in fear of developing AD is increasing, little is known about its characterization, triggers, and consequences, especially among different cultures. In this study, we aimed at exploring and characterizing AD fear as experienced by laypersons (LP), persons with Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (MND), and their relatives, in Israel and Germany.

DESIGN

A qualitative study using focus groups (FGs) and semi-structured interviews was used. Thematic content analysis was conducted to extract key themes.

SETTING

Israeli and German not yet diagnosed people.

PARTICIPANTS

The study included a total of 130 participants (63 Israeli and 67 German participants) representing 3 groups: LP (n = 82), persons with MND (n = 28), and relatives of persons with MND (n = 20).

RESULTS

Two overarching themes were identified across groups and countries: fear of developing AD and fear of stigmatization. Other types of fear, such as fear of a person with AD, fear about the impact of a diagnosis of AD on family members, fear of becoming a caregiver, and fear of losing one's self-determination because of developing AD, were specific to a group type or country. Different types of fear were awakened by different triggers, and were dealt with different coping strategies.

Health promotion initiative: A dementia-friendly local community in Sweden

Dementia is a great public health concern worldwide. Despite this, little is known from a health-promoting perspective about dementia in general as a public health issue, in dialog with people living with dementia, applicable at individual, group, and societal levels with regard to policies and practice. This study therefore aims to explore the experiences related to living with dementia in the local community by advancing a health-promoting perspective. Semi-structured individual and group interviews were conducted with participants (n = 22) with lived, professional, and personal experiences of dementia living in a medium-sized municipality in Sweden. Transcripts were analyzed by thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: health promotion through knowledge and public awareness, health promotion through opportunities to be active, health promotion through meaningful meeting places, and health promotion through improvements in the welfare system. We found that more knowledge and public awareness about dementia are needed to advance a health-promoting perspective and increase the prominence of dementia as a public health issue. Further research and policy need to focus more on how professionals in dementia care practice could be involved in promoting health and well-being for people with dementia.

Creating Dementia-Friendly Communities for Social Inclusion: A Scoping Review

Aims: This scoping review explores key strategies of creating inclusive dementia-friendly communities that support people with dementia and their informal caregiver. Background: Social exclusion is commonly reported by people with dementia. Dementia-friendly community has emerged as an idea with potential to contribute to cultivating social inclusion. Methods: This scoping review follows the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology and took place between April and September 2020. The review included a three-step search strategy: (1) identifying keywords from CINAHL and AgeLine; (2) conducting a second search using all identified keywords and index terms across selected databases (CINAHL, AgeLine, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Google); and (3) hand-searching the reference lists of all included articles and reports for additional studies. Results: Twenty-nine papers were included in the review. Content analysis identified strategies for creating dementia-friendly communities: (a) active involvement of people with dementia and caregivers (b) inclusive environmental design; (c) public education to reduce stigma and raise awareness; and (d) customized strategies informed by theory. Conclusion: This scoping review provides an overview of current evidence on strategies supporting dementia-friendly communities for social inclusion. Future efforts should apply implementation science theories to inform strategies for education, practice, policy and future research.

Attitude toward dementia and preferences for diagnosis in Japanese health service consumers

Background

Being diagnosed with dementia is a confronting experience for any individual and their caregiver. However, a diagnosis provides opportunity for future preparation for management of the condition. This study investigated attitudes toward dementia and preferences for diagnosis among a sample of health service consumers in Japan.

Methods

Participants were patients or accompanying support persons (n = 217) who visited the specialty outpatient clinic of four hospital departments. The survey was conducted using an iPad with answers sent automatically to a secure server. The survey included items about the participants’ most feared diseases and the reasons behind those fears, estimates of dementia prevalence in Japan, and preferences regarding a diagnosis of dementia and the reasons for their preference.

Results

The most feared disease was cancer (43.8 %), followed by dementia (18 %). Those selecting dementia most commonly reported practical, emotional and social impacts as the reasons why they most feared this condition. Almost all participants preferred to know the diagnosis of dementia as soon as possible for themselves, with significantly fewer preferring their spouse to know as soon as possible if they had dementia (95.9 % for self vs. 67.5 % for partner/spouse, p < 0.001). On average, participants estimated that 18.1 % of Japanese people are diagnosed with dementia by age 65, while they thought that 43.7 % of Japanese people are diagnosed with dementia by age 85.

Conclusions

The findings highlight a need for community education about the significant impacts of dementia on the lives of individuals and their caregivers. People were more reluctant for their spouse to receive a diagnosis as soon as possible if they had dementia. Physicians should sensitively disclose diagnosis and ensure they involve both the patient and their relatives in discussions about diagnosis disclosure.

Health Promotion Behavior among Older Korean Family Caregivers of People with Dementia

People adopt health promotion behaviors to promote their health as they interact within the environment. The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing health promotion behaviors among older adults caring for family members with dementia. For this cross-sectional study, data from 135 older adults who were the main caregivers were collected at an outpatient clinic at a university hospital in the capital city of South Korea between September and October in 2020. Sociodemographic characteristics, caregiver-related characteristics, dementia knowledge, fear of dementia, and health promotion behaviors were measured. Univariate analysis revealed that the level of health promotion behaviors differed by age, sex, educational level, monthly income, relationship with the family member with dementia, and cohabitation with family members with dementia. In the multivariate analysis, a hierarchical multiple regression model explained 33.9% of the variance. Sex, duration of caregiving, use of long-term care service, and fear of dementia predicted health promotion behavior. A strategic tailored care plan for target population is needed to improve the health promotion behavior of older adults caring for family members with dementia.

Conceptualization, measurement and correlates of dementia worry: A scoping review

PURPOSE

The combination of a growing population of older adults and increasing prevalence and awareness of dementia diagnoses suggests that dementia worry may also intensify. As a relatively new area of investigation, the dementia worry literature is growing, but variability in definitions and measurement continue. A scoping review was conducted to gather and examine existing research, as well as assist in guiding future studies in this area. The review focused on characterizing the conceptualization, measurement, and correlates of dementia worry.

METHODS

Using PubMed, CINAHL, AgeLine, and PsycINFO, a search of literature concerning dementia worry was completed.

RESULTS

A total of 45 articles examining dementia worry fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Most studies were cross-sectional (n = 39), quantitative (n = 38), and conducted in the United States (n = 22). Inconsistencies in the conceptualization, measurement, and correlates examined make it difficult to determine the meaning and true levels of dementia worry.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent attention to dementia worry has increased awareness of the basic concept and its correlates. However, the lack of unity in the definition and measurement of dementia worry impedes advancement in this research area, as well as in establishing its clinical significance.

Changes in Measures of Dementia Awareness in UK Church Congregations Following a ‘Dementia-Friendly’ Intervention: A Pre–Post Cohort Study

Given their stability, their ability to influence public attitudes and capacity to mobilise human resources, it seems likely that many faith communities can have a significant impact on the wellbeing of people living with dementia (PLWD) and their carers, who may be dependent on the commitment of informal communities of support over months or years. This paper reports on a pre–post cohort study undertaken in an Anglican (Church of England) diocese in the UK. Representatives (N = 61) of 11 church communities completed the Dementia Awareness Scale immediately before and 12 months after an intervention to promote ‘Dementia-Friendly Church’ in their congregation. Results showed a robust improvement in scores on both the ‘Knowledge’ and ‘Comfort’ subscales, with the largest effect size in the latter. Within each subscale, improvements were evenly distributed across the individual items. These findings indicate that such an intervention is likely to significantly improve the environment for people living with dementia and their companions who are members of or engage with the Church community. They also suggest that a similar programme could be extended to other intentional communities, whether in faith-based organisations or societies with shared interests.

Relationship between Knowledge and Types of Attitudes towards People Living with Dementia

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between knowledge and attitudes towards dementia among adults. A cross-sectional online survey with purposive sampling was conducted in four district health centers in Taichung, Taiwan, in 2018. Knowledge was measured by the Taiwanese version of the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale. Attitudes towards people with dementia were measured by four kinds of feelings: discomfort, shame, avoidance, and fear. In total, 347 persons completed the questionnaire. Knowledge of dementia was modest. Higher education, a care-related background, chronic health conditions, experience caring for people with dementia, and knowledge of family history were related to higher knowledge of dementia. Attitudes towards people with dementia were grouped into four clusters: uncomfortable (22.2%), ashamed (2.6%), unfriendly (22.5%), and non-negative (52.7%). Knowledge of dementia was significantly related to the ashamed cluster but not to the other clusters. Lower education, a lack of caring experience, and a lack of knowledge of family history were related to uncomfortable feelings, and poorer financial satisfaction was related to uncomfortable, afraid, and avoidant feelings. The open-question expression of feelings towards dementia was more likely to be negative (55.3%). The public should be educated on knowledge of and friendly attitudes towards dementia.

Dementia Literacy in the Greater Bay Area, China: Identifying the At-Risk Population and the Preferred Types of Mass Media for Receiving Dementia Information

Background: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the dementia literacy of community-dwelling adults in four cities (Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Macau, and Zhuhai) of the Greater Bay Area of China, and to determine their mass media preferences for receiving dementia information. Methods: The survey was completed by 787 community-dwelling adults. Dementia literacy was indirectly measured using two validated scales-the 30-item Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale and the 20-item Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS). Participants were also asked to indicate whether they wanted to receive dementia information via digital or traditional media. Chi-square tests, logistic regressions, and MANOVA analyses were conducted. Results: Unemployed or retired people had poor attitudes towards dementia and lower levels of knowledge about dementia. Single, cohabiting, or divorced people in Hong Kong and Macau had lower DAS scores than married people. Young people and those with a secondary education preferred to get their dementia information from social media. People with a tertiary education and employed people enjoyed searching government or hospital websites for information. Middle-aged, unemployed, or retired people tended to learn about dementia from television or radio. Conclusion: It is worth educating the public about dementia and developing strategies consistent with their preferences for types of mass media.