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Knowledge and perceptions of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in four ethnic groups in Copenhagen, Denmark
- Authors:
- NIELSEN T. Rune, WALDEMAR Gunhild
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 31(3), 2016, p.222–230.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objective: Older people from ethnic minorities are underrepresented in dementia care. Some of the determinants of access to care are knowledge and perceptions of dementia, which may vary between ethnic groups in the population. The aims of this study were to compare knowledge and perceptions of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) among four ethnic groups in Copenhagen, Denmark, and to assess the influence of education and acculturation. Methods: Quantitative survey data from 260 participants were analysed: 100 native Danish, and 47 Polish, 51 Turkish, and 62 Pakistani immigrants. Knowledge and perceptions of dementia and AD were assessed with the Dementia Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ) supplemented with two questions from the Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Test (ADAT). Knowledge and perceptions of dementia and AD in the four groups were compared, and the influence of education and acculturation was assessed. Results: Group differences were found on the DKQ total score as well as all sub-domains. Turkish and Pakistani people were most likely to hold normalizing and stigmatizing views of AD. Level of education and acculturation had limited influence on dementia knowledge, accounting for 22% of the variance at most and had only minor influence on perceptions of AD. Conclusions: Lacking knowledge and certain perceptions of dementia and AD may hamper access to services in some ethnic minority groups. Ongoing efforts to raise awareness that dementia and AD are not part of normal ageing, particularly among Turkish and Pakistani communities, should be a high priority for educational outreach. (Edited publisher abstract)
Standing secure amidst a falling world? Practitioner understandings of old age in responses to a case vignette
- Authors:
- RICHARDS Sally, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Interprofessional Care, 21(3), June 2007, pp.355-349.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The specialist knowledge and skills of health and social care practitioners working with older people are often unacknowledged. This paper examines an important aspect of specialist knowledge, the understandings of ageing and old age that underpin practice in a society where negative assumptions about old age and older people are widespread. These understandings were explored through analysis of data from 30 interviews with health and social care practitioners working with older people at risk of falling in a South London Primary Care Trust and partner Local Authority. The sample included: nurses, doctors, occupational and physical therapists, care managers, home carers, staff from a sheltered housing scheme and a health promotion advisor. The interviews centred on a case vignette and the analysis presented here focuses on respondents' perceptions of the scenario and of the reluctance of its subject, a 79-year-old woman, to seek help after a fall. The findings suggest that practitioners' understandings of older people are grounded in practice and personal experience, with little evidence of the use of theoretical or research-based knowledge of ageing and old age. This suggests that the potential for formal knowledge of ageing to support reflective and empowering practice with older people has yet to be fully exploited. The paper concludes with a discussion of the relevance to interprofessional practice of gerontological theory and research and suggestions for further research.
A test of public reactions to alleged elder abuse
- Authors:
- BLAKELY B.E., DOLON Ronald
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 9(4), 1998, pp.43-65.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article summarises the results of an experiment that examined the reactions of young adults to an alleged case of elder abuse. The research was designed to see how the reactions of subjects were affected by variations in abuse vignettes in the ages of victims and in social distance between subjects and victims. Relationships between the reactions of subjects and ageism, empathy, and demographic variables were also examined. In addition, focus groups provided insights about the thinking of young adults who are exposed to elder abuse. Findings of the study are of particular interest to persons who design public education programmes on elder abuse.
Reducing ageism: education about aging and extended contact with older adults
- Authors:
- LYTLE Ashley, LEVY Sheri R.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 59(3), 2019, pp.580-588.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background and Objectives: Ageism is of increasing concern due to the growing older population worldwide and youth-centered focus of many societies. Research Design and Methods: The current investigation tested the PEACE (Positive Education about Aging and Contact Experiences) model for the first time. Two online experimental studies examined 2 key factors for reducing ageism: education about aging (providing accurate information about aging) and extended contact (knowledge of positive intergenerational contact) as well as their potential combined effect (education plus extended contact). Results and Discussion: In Study 1, 354 undergraduates in all 3 experimental conditions (vs. control participants) reported less negative attitudes toward older adults (delayed post-test) and greater aging knowledge (immediate and delayed post-tests), when controlling for pre-study attitudes. In Study 2, 505 national community participants (ages 18–59) in all experimental conditions (vs. control participants) reported less negative attitudes toward older adults (immediate post-test) and greater aging knowledge (immediate and delayed post-tests). In summary, across 2 online studies, education about aging and knowledge of intergenerational extended contact improved attitudes toward older adults and aging knowledge. Implications: Thus, brief, online ageism-reduction strategies can be an effective way to combat ageism. These strategies hold promise to be tested in other settings, with other samples, and to be elaborated into more in-depth interventions that aim to reduce ageism in everyday culture. (Edited publisher abstract)
Life weariness and suicidal thoughts in late life: a national study in Sweden
- Authors:
- TUVESSON Hanna, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 22(10), 2018, pp.1365-1371.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the point prevalence of life weariness and suicidal thoughts and their relationship with socio-demographic characteristics in a population of older adults in Sweden. Method: Data from 7913 individuals aged 60 years and older were drawn from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care, a collaborative study in Sweden. Life weariness and suicidal thoughts were measured by one item derived from the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. A multinomial regression model was used to investigate the relationships of socio-demographic characteristics with life weariness and suicidal thoughts. Results: Living in urban and semi-urban areas, being of advanced age, being divorced and having lower educational levels were related to life weariness. Living in a residential care facility, being widowed or unmarried, being born in a non-Nordic European country and experiencing financial difficulties were related to both life weariness and suicidal thoughts. Sex was found to be unrelated to either life weariness or suicidal thoughts.Conclusion: This study found that several socio-demographic variables were associated with life weariness and suicidal thoughts among older adults. Specific attention to older individuals with these characteristics may be warranted as they might be more vulnerable to life weariness and suicidal thoughts. (Publisher abstract)
Increasing delirium skills at the front door: results from a repeated survey on delirium knowledge and attitudes
- Authors:
- JENKIN Rodric Peter Llewelyn, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Age and Ageing, 45(4), 2016, pp.517-522.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background: Delirium is under-recognised in comparison to other common and serious acute disorders. A 2006 survey of UK junior doctors (not undertaking specialist training) identified poor knowledge of the diagnostic criteria and treatment of delirium. The authors hypothesised that increased prominence accorded to delirium in the form of national initiatives and guidelines may have had an impact on understanding among junior doctors. Objective: The authors repeated a multi-centre survey of knowledge of and attitudes to delirium in junior doctors (not undertaking specialist training) assessing unselected acute medical presentations (the ‘medical take’). Design: Questionnaire-based survey in 48 acute hospitals in UK and Ireland. Methods: The authors used questionnaires designed to test understanding of delirium, including prevalence, knowledge of the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, use of specific screening tools, association with adverse outcomes and pharmacological management. Results: One thousand two hundred and fifteen trainee physicians participated. Compared with the 2006 cohort, improvements were seen in 9 of 17 knowledge-based questions and overall score improved in the 2013 cohort. Nonetheless, significant deficits in knowledge, particularly for the diagnostic criteria for delirium, remained. Conclusions: Despite improvements in some aspects of delirium knowledge, the diagnostic criteria for delirium remain poorly understood. Challenges remain in ensuring adequate training for junior doctors in delirium. (Edited publisher abstract)
Alcohol use amongst older adults: knowledge and beliefs of occupational therapists working in physical health care settings
- Authors:
- MacLEAN Fiona, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78(5), 2015, pp.320-330.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Introduction There is little discussion in the United Kingdom occupational therapy literature surrounding the topic of older people and alcohol, despite the growing prevalence of alcohol-related health problems in older adults resulting from an ageing population and changing patterns of consumption. Occupational therapists in physical health care settings are likely to work with older people whose drinking pattern may not be alcohol dependent, but may put their physical or psychological health at risk. Method A survey methodology was employed using open and closed questions, recruiting occupational therapists (band 5 to 9) (n = 122) working with older people (65+ years) in physical health care settings across all, except one, National Health Service Regional Health Boards in Scotland. Results Responses highlight gaps in occupational therapists’ knowledge around alternative ‘safe limits’ of alcohol intake for older people. Belief in professional role was evident, but the perception was that this was not supported by undergraduate education. Occupation focused theory and assessment were not prioritized when considering alcohol in the older adult. Conclusion This study has highlighted a need to develop pre- and post-qualification education for occupational therapists, to enhance understanding of theory, assessment and knowledge of alcohol with older adults in physical health care settings. (Publisher abstract)
Aspirations for later life
- Authors:
- HUMPHREY Alun, LEE Lucy, GREEN Rosie
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department for Work and Pensions
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 145p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This research report presents survey findings on people’s aspirations for later life (aged 60 onwards) in Great Britain. The survey sought to determine whether people hold aspirations for their later life and, if so, what these might be. In addition, it sought to provide an insight into what are the enablers and barriers to achieving these aspirations. The survey was carried out as part of the National Centre for Social Research Omnibus Survey. Face-to-face interviews were carried out in 2010 with a total of 1,867 adults aged 16 years and over. It was assumed that respondents aged 45 to 65 years would be most likely to have aspirations for later life, and so the number of respondents in this category was boosted. The survey examined: the respondent’s interpretation of life stages; their expectations and planning for later life; their interest in 3 activities (volunteering, education or training, and leisure and cultural pursuits) in later life; their expectation of health and independence; and their feelings of isolation and the suitability of the community for older people. The findings show that the majority of respondents had either not thought at all about what they might do when aged 60 onwards or had some ideas but had not really given it much thought. However, it is evident that later life is primarily seen as an opportunity to pursue leisure and cultural activities.
The generation game
- Author:
- VALIOS Natalie
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 1.2.01, 2001, pp.28-29.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Reports on bridging the gap, an intergenerational education scheme in North Tyneside that aims to change the stereotypes older and younger people hold about each other.
Infected and affected: HIV, AIDS and the older adult
- Author:
- MARSHALL Tracy
- Journal article citation:
- Generations Review, 7(4), December 1997, pp.9-11.
- Publisher:
- British Society of Gerontology
Discusses the importance of older people being informed about the transmission of HIV/AIDS and the precautions that are available to decrease the risk of infection.