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Abstract Background Dementia-related stigma is a prominent barrier for people living with dementia, leading to poor well-being and social isolation. Adolescents are an under-researched group in society that may already have experience of dementia and are more susceptible to attitudinal change which makes them ideal targets for anti-stigma initiatives outlined by public health policy. For the development of evidence-based anti-stigma initiatives in adolescents, it is important to understand which socio-demographic groups are most likely to develop stigmatising attitudes and why. This study aims to identify factors of dementia-related stigma in adolescents. Methods A total of 1,044 adolescents (aged 11–18 years) from across six regions of England were included in the analysis of this cross-sectional, survey-based study. Descriptive statistics and multiple regressions were employed to explore the association between demographic variables, modifiable factors of dementia-related stigma and the outcome of dementia-related stigma. A path analysis via a structural equation model was employed to test for direct and mediatory effects. Results Multiple regression models revealed that younger adolescents, those with higher levels of contact with dementia, higher levels of empathy, higher levels of dementia knowledge, and higher affinity to older adults, are associated with more positive dementia attitudes in adolescents (p

Background: Dementia-related stigma is a prominent barrier for people living with dementia, leading to poor well-being and social isolation. Adolescents are an under-researched group in society that may already have experience of dementia and are more susceptible to attitudinal change which makes them ideal targets for anti-stigma initiatives outlined by public health policy. For the development of evidence-based anti-stigma initiatives in adolescents, it is important to understand which socio-demographic groups are most likely to develop stigmatising attitudes and why. This study aims to identify factors of dementia-related stigma in adolescents. Methods: A total of 1,044 adolescents (aged 11–18 years) from across six regions of England were included in the analysis of this cross-sectional, survey-based study. Descriptive statistics and multiple regressions were employed to explore the association between demographic variables, modifiable factors of dementia-related stigma and the outcome of dementia-related stigma. A path analysis via a structural equation model was employed to test for direct and mediatory effects. Results: Multiple regression models revealed that younger adolescents, those with higher levels of contact with dementia, higher levels of empathy, higher levels of dementia knowledge, and higher affinity to older adults, are associated with more positive dementia attitudes in adolescents (p < 0.05). Within the accepted structural equation model, empathy, level of contact and dementia knowledge were key mediators of dementia-related stigma (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study highlights that modifiable factors such as level of contact, ageism, and empathy have a potentially important role in how dementia-related stigma may start to form in the adolescent years. Developing contact-based strategies that stimulate empathetic responses may be useful targets for stigma reduction initiatives for adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing stigma is a key benefit to intergenerational programs. However, little is known about the availability and suitability of measures that capture dementia-related attitudes in adolescents, thus limiting interpretations of the efficacy of such programs. The aim of this scoping review was to provide an overview of outcome measures used to capture dementia-related attitudes in adolescents. Scoping review methodology was used to systematically identify relevant articles. Key search terms included dementia, attitudes, and adolescents. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 13 unique measures were identified. However, there are gaps in psychometric properties and a lack of underlying theoretical frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Due to the increasing incidence of dementia in Ireland, there is a need to prepare occupational therapy students for future careers in dementia-focused health care. The purpose of this study are to measure the knowledge and attitudes of Irish undergraduate occupational therapy students towards older people with dementia and examine related variables including year of study, personal and placement dementia experiences and future career choice. Design/methodology/approach – Data was gathered using a cross-sectional online survey, incorporating the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale and the Dementia Attitudes Scale, which was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings – Seventy-five responses were gathered and analysed, indicating more advanced occupational therapy students demonstrate higher levels of dementia knowledge, but dementia attitudes remain similar across different year groups. Students with clinical dementia experiences displayed comparable levels of dementia knowledge and attitudes to those without. However, students with familial dementia experiences displayed significantly more positive attitudes. The likelihood of selecting a future career with older adults with dementia significantly related to students’ positive dementia attitudes but not dementia knowledge. Originality/value – To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first Irish study that focuses on undergraduate occupational therapy students’ dementia knowledge and attitudes. The results could be used to inform and develop Irish undergraduate occupational therapy programmes.

Objectives: This study investigated attitudes towards dementia among Chinese immigrants aged 50 years and over living in Australia and compares these attitudes with those of individuals living in mainland China. It aimed to better understand what older Chinese adults think about dementia and to inform the development of tailored dementia-related services for this group of people. Design: A qualitative design involving individual interviews was employed in this study. Participants: Forty-six participants were recruited: 21 in Melbourne and 25 in Beijing. All interviewees were born in mainland China, were community-dwelling, and did not have a dementia diagnosis. Measurements: The tripartite model of attitudes was used to guide the semi-structured interview design and report the results. Thematic qualitative analysis was employed. Results: In both groups, most participants held negative feelings, stigmatized views and negative stereotypes of dementia. However, most participants expressed a willingness to help individuals living with dementia. Regarding dementia care, nearly all participants preferred home care but thought formal care would become the mainstream form of care in the future. Fewer Melbourne participants expressed concerns regarding developing dementia, were interested in dementia, or perceived a need for dementia-related educational activities. Melbourne participants also reported more avoidant responses to dementia or individuals living with dementia. Conclusion: This study carefully compares attitudes towards dementia between older Chinese immigrants in Melbourne and older Chinese adults in Beijing. Similarities and differences were observed between these two groups. Dementia-related service providers should consider the sociocultural changes and migration-related barriers experienced by Chinese immigrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Volunteers have been a valuable resource in supporting people with dementia and their caregivers in the community. However, factors such as misconceptions, negative attitudes towards dementia, and a lack of motivation might impact the quality of volunteer care. The present paper aims to examine the effect of training and service provision on the knowledge and attitudes of volunteers towards dementia and the association between knowledge and attitudes with the levels of motivation to volunteer. Methods The present study is part of an effectiveness-implementation cluster randomized clinical hybrid trial using a music-with-movement intervention to promote the well-being of people with dementia and their informal caregivers. Volunteers were recruited to receive training to support the delivery of the intervention. Training and enrichment workshops were offered to volunteers during the one-year project. Before and after their training and service, the recruited volunteers were asked to complete the following assessments: Dementia Attitudes Scale, and the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale. The levels of motivation to volunteer was measured with Volunteer Functions Inventory at baseline. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and multiple regression test were applied for statistical analyses. Results A total of 107 volunteers were recruited, and 81 of them completed a mean period of 47.32 weeks of training and service. Significant improvements in their total score on the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (p = .009) and Dementia Attitudes Scale (p

Background: Volunteers have been a valuable resource in supporting people with dementia and their caregivers in the community. However, factors such as misconceptions, negative attitudes towards dementia, and a lack of motivation might impact the quality of volunteer care. The present paper aims to examine the effect of training and service provision on the knowledge and attitudes of volunteers towards dementia and the association between knowledge and attitudes with the levels of motivation to volunteer. Methods: The present study is part of an effectiveness-implementation cluster randomized clinical hybrid trial using a music-with-movement intervention to promote the well-being of people with dementia and their informal caregivers. Volunteers were recruited to receive training to support the delivery of the intervention. Training and enrichment workshops were offered to volunteers during the one-year project. Before and after their training and service, the recruited volunteers were asked to complete the following assessments: Dementia Attitudes Scale, and the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale. The levels of motivation to volunteer was measured with Volunteer Functions Inventory at baseline. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and multiple regression test were applied for statistical analyses. Results: A total of 107 volunteers were recruited, and 81 of them completed a mean period of 47.32 weeks of training and service. Significant improvements in their total score on the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (p =.009) and Dementia Attitudes Scale (p <.001) were found. Dementia attitude (β =.57, p <.001) and knowledge (β = -.18, p =.038) were found to have the most significant association with the levels of motivation to be a volunteer at baseline. Conclusions: The present study illustrated the importance of quality volunteer training and voluntary service in improving the dementia knowledge and attitudes of volunteers. It also shed light on the association between knowledge and attitudes with the levels of motivation to volunteer. Accordingly, future research and public health policymakers should address more efforts to amplify the advantage of volunteers as a vital asset in dementia care. Trial registration: NCT03575026 (ClinicalTrials.gov), First registration on 02/07/2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine whether demographic, dementia-related, and control-related variables predict preparation for future care needs (PFCN) in a sample of middle-aged and older adults. PFCN is defined in this study as a self-perceived sense of preparedness for one's own future care needs, including general awareness of future care needs, gathering relevant information, decision-making about care preferences, concrete planning, and non-avoidance of care planning. Methods: Participants (N = 122; age 40 to 88 years: M = 65.83, SD = 9.80) completed self-report measures in an in-person study. Hierarchical multiple regression was calculated to predict PFCN. Results: Being female, having more positive dementia attitudes, higher attribution to powerful others for health condition(s), and more completed end-of-life (EOL) planning significantly predicted greater PFCN. Conclusion: Findings indicate a positive relationship between objective (completed EOL planning items) and subjective (PFCN) components of planning, thus highlighting the importance of taking concrete steps in EOL planning to yield greater feelings of preparedness, which has been associated with positive psychological outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Background: The numbers of people living with dementia are overwhelming. Dementia education is important to prepare nursing students to care for this population. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a virtual dementia experience on nursing students' attitudes and empathy for people with dementia, dementia knowledge, and self-confidence for dementia care. Methods: The design was a 2-group, pretest-posttest using a convenience sample of undergraduate nursing students (n = 112). The intervention group (n = 56) participated in a virtual dementia experience. Results: Both groups experienced improved attitudes toward people with dementia, increased dementia knowledge, improved self-confidence for dementia care, and improved empathy (Perspective Taking). However, the virtual dementia experience did not lead to improved outcomes compared to the standard teaching approaches. Conclusions: Dementia-specific education had a significant influence on students' attitudes, knowledge, self-confidence, and empathy, whereas the type of education did not impact outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]