Factors Associated with the Attitudes toward Dementia in Community Caregivers: Results from the Nationwide Survey on Dementia Care in Korea.
- Author:
Jung Yong CHOI
1
;
Hyeon JEONG
;
Jae Young PARK
;
Tae Hui KIM
;
Dong Young LEE
;
Dong Woo LEE
;
Seung Ho RYU
;
Shin Kyeom KIM
;
Jong Chul YOUN
;
Jinhyeong JHOO
;
Jeong Lan KIM
;
Seok Bum LEE
;
Jung Jae LEE
;
Kyung Phil KWAK
;
Bong Jo KIM
;
Seok Woo MOON
;
Jae Nam BAE
;
Joon Hyuk PARK
;
Ki Woong KIM
;
Ji Won HAN
Author Information
1. Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Dementia;
Attitude toward dementia;
Caregivers
- MeSH:
Behavioral Symptoms;
Caregivers*;
Dementia*;
Education;
Female;
Humans;
Korea
- From:Journal of Korean Geriatric Psychiatry
2015;19(1):24-31
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: We investigated caregivers' attitudes toward dementia, which may play a key role in the timely treatment and optimal care of people with dementia (PWD), and patient and caregiver factors potentially associated with these attitudes. METHODS: As a part of the Nationwide Survey on Dementia Care in Korea, we evaluated the attitudes of 731 community-dwelling caregivers of PWD with the Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS). Using stepwise multiple regression analysis, we investigated the sociodemographic factors of the caregivers, the clinicodemographic factors of the PWD, and the situational factors of caregiving that may influence caregivers' attitudes. RESULTS: The mean score on the DAS total was 80.65+/-16.0 (maximum : 140). The mean score on the DAS Knowledge subscale, which reflects awareness of dementia, was 42.86+/-9.6 (maximum : 70), and that on the DAS Comfort subscale, which reflects emotional and behavioral attitudes toward dementia, was 37.79+/-10.3 (maximum : 70). Non-spouse caregiver, living in a rural area, completion of a formal care education program (caregiver factors) and female patient, high educational level, high clinical dementia rating and mild behavioral symptoms (patient factors) were associated with a high DAS total score. CONCLUSION: We found much room for improvement in caregivers' attitudes towards PWD in Korea, indicating a need for strategies to improve these attitudes, targeting the at-risk group.
