Details:

Alternative Title:
Arch Gerontol Geriatr
Personal Author:
Tang, Weizhou ; Kannaley, Kristie ; Friedman, Daniela B. ; Edwards, Valerie J. ; Wilcox, Sara ; ... More +
Tang, Weizhou ; Kannaley, Kristie ; Friedman, Daniela B. ; Edwards, Valerie J. ; Wilcox, Sara ; Levkoff, Sue E. ; Hunter, Rebecca H. ; Irmiter, Cheryl ; Belza, Basia Less -
Description:
Objective

Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or dementia is important so that patients can express treatment preferences, subsequently allowing caregivers to make decisions consistent with their wishes. This study explored the relationship between people’s concern about developing AD/dementia, likelihood to be screened/tested, if experiencing changes in cognitive status or functioning, and concerns about sharing the diagnostic information with others.

Method

A descriptive study was conducted using Porter Novelli’s SummerStyles 2013 online survey data. Of the 6105 panelists aged 18+ who received the survey, 4033 adults responded (response rate: 66%). Chi squares were used with case-level weighting applied.

Results

Almost 13% of respondents reported being very worried or worried about getting AD/dementia, with women more worried than men (p <.001), and AD/dementia caregivers more worried than other types of caregivers (p = .04). Women were also more likely than men to agree to be screened/tested if experiencing changes in memory and/or thinking (p <.001). The greater the worry, the more likely respondents would agree to be screened/tested (p <.001). Nearly 66% of respondents were concerned that sharing a diagnosis would change the way others think/feel about them, with women reporting greater concern than men (p = .003).

Conclusion

Findings demonstrate that level of worry about AD/dementia is associated with the reported likelihood that individuals agree to be screened/tested. This information will be useful in developing communication strategies to address public concern about AD/dementia that may increase the likelihood of screening and early detection.


Subjects:
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Adolescent Adult Aged Aged, 80 And Over Alzheimer Disease Alzheimer’s Disease Article Caregivers Concern Dementia Fear Female Humans Intention Male Middle Aged Screening Intention Survey Young Adult
Source:
Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 71:43-49.
Pubmed ID:
28279898
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC5995109
Document Type:
Journal Article
Funding:
U48 DP005000/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States ; U48 DP005013/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States ; U48DP005000/ACL HHS/United States ; U48DP005013/ACL HHS/United States
U48 DP005000/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States ; U48 DP005013/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States ; U48DP005000/ACL HHS/United States ; U48DP005013/ACL HHS/United States Less -
Collection(s):
CDC Public Access
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:1d6cc1adc392c7b5789aed4b9488fa3dde727d9e8b6d318326a074232bc5ea64
Download URL:
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/55843/cdc_55843_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

• nihms971346.nxml

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