Development of the dementia community attitudes questionnaire

Development of Four-Item Attitudes toward People Living with Dementia Scale for population surveys

BACKGROUND

This study developed a short version of a scale measuring attitudes toward people living with dementia, the Four-Item Attitudes toward People Living with Dementia Scale (APDS4), that could be included in a large population survey.

METHODS

We used three datasets from Japan: a web panel survey, a community-based mail survey, and data from a randomised controlled trial on dementia education. The original scale used was the Attitudes toward People Living with Dementia Scale developed by Kim and Kuroda. Test-retest reliability and item response theory analyses were used to reduce the number of items. The reliability, internal consistency, validity, and responsiveness of the short version were evaluated.

RESULTS

Six items with low test-retest reliability and four items with low discrimination parameters were removed from the 14-item scale. The APDS4, consisting of four items, had test-retest reliability and internal consistency comparable to those of the original scale. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the APDS4 fit a unidimensional model. The validity of the APDS4 was confirmed by significant associations between the APDS4 scores and the original scale scores, knowledge of dementia, helping behaviour intentions toward people living with dementia, helping behaviour experience, attending the Dementia Supporter Training Course, and engagement in healthcare jobs. In a randomised controlled trial dataset, the APDS4 was more responsive to educational interventions than the original scale.

CONCLUSION

The shortened APDS4 was established as a reliable, validated, and responsive scale. This scale can be used efficiently in population surveys to evaluate dementia-friendly initiatives at the community level.

Assessment tools for measurement of dementia-friendliness of a community: A scoping review

Background

A quantitative assessment of the dementia-friendliness of a community can support planning and evaluation of dementia-friendly community (DFC) initiatives, internal review, and national/international comparisons, encouraging a more systematic and strategic approach to the advancement of DFCs. However, assessment of the dementia-friendliness of a community is not always conducted and continuous improvement and evaluation of the impact of dementia-friendly initiatives are not always undertaken. A dearth of applicable evaluation tools is one reason why there is a lack of quantitative assessments of the dementia-friendliness of communities working on DFC initiatives.

Purpose

A scoping review was conducted to identify and examine assessment tools that can be used to conduct quantitative assessments of the dementia-friendliness of a community.

Design and methods

Peer-reviewed studies related to DFCs were identified through a search of seven electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, EMCare, HealthSTAR, and AgeLine). Grey literature on DFCs was identified through a search of the World Wide Web and personal communication with community leads in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Characteristics of identified assessment tools were tabulated, and a narrative summary of findings was developed along with a discussion of strengths and weaknesses of identified tools.

Results

Forty tools that assess DFC features (built environment, dementia awareness and attitudes, and community needs) were identified. None of the identified tools were deemed comprehensive enough for the assessment of community needs of people with dementia.