Table 1.
Knowledge related to Alzheimer's disease (ADKS)
| Correct answers, % | Mean ± SD | |
|---|---|---|
| Life impact | ||
| People with Alzheimer's disease are particularly prone to depression (T) | 60 | 0.6±0.5 |
| Most people with Alzheimer's disease live in nursing homes (F) | 86.7 | 0.9±0.4 |
| It is safe for people with Alzheimer's disease to drive, as long as they have a companion in the car at all times (F) | 60 | 0.6±0.5 |
| Mean score | 2.1±0.9 | |
| Risk factors | ||
| It has been scientifically proven that mental exercise can prevent a person from getting Alzheimer's disease (F) | 20 | 0.20±0.4 |
| People in their 30s can have Alzheimer's disease (T) | 73.3 | 0.73±0.5 |
| Having high cholesterol may increase a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (T) | 53.3 | 0.53±0.5 |
| Prescription drugs that prevent Alzheimer's disease are available (F) | 60 | 0.60±0.5 |
| Having high blood pressure may increase a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (T) | 60 | 0.60±0.5 |
| Genes can only partially account for the development of Alzheimer's disease (T) | 80 | 0.80±0.4 |
| Mean score | 3.47±0.9 | |
| Symptoms | ||
| Tremor or shaking of the hands or arms is a common symptom in people with Alzheimer's disease (F) | 53.3 | 0.53±0.5 |
| Trouble handling money or paying bills is a common early symptom of Alzheimer's disease (T) | 93.3 | 0.93±0.3 |
| One symptom that can occur with Alzheimer's disease is the belief that other people are stealing one's things (T) | 80 | 0.80±0.4 |
| Most people with Alzheimer's disease remember recent events better than things that happened in the past (F) | 86.7 | 0.87±0.4 |
| Mean score | 3.00±0.8 | |
| Treatment and Management | ||
| People whose Alzheimer's disease is not yet severe can benefit from psychotherapy for depression and anxiety (T) | 93.3 | 0.93±0.3 |
| Poor nutrition can make the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease worse (T) | 66.7 | 0.67±0.5 |
| When a person has Alzheimer's disease, the use of reminder notes is a crutch that can contribute to decline (F) | 46.7 | 0.47±0.5 |
| Alzheimer's disease cannot be cured (T) | 93.3 | 0.93±0.3 |
| Mean score | 3.00±0.8 | |
| Assessment and diagnosis | ||
| When a person with Alzheimer's disease becomes agitated, a medical examination might reveal other health problems that caused the agitation (T) | 93.3 | 0.93±0.3 |
| If trouble with memory and confused thinking appear suddenly, this is likely due to Alzheimer's disease (F) | 33.3 | 0.33±0.5 |
| Symptoms of severe depression can be mistaken for symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (T) | 73.3 | 0.73±0.5 |
| Alzheimer's disease is one type of dementia (T) | 80 | 0.80±0.4 |
| Mean score | 2.80±0.7 | |
| Care giving | ||
| People with Alzheimer's disease do best with simple instructions given one step at a time (T) | 100 | 1.0±0.0 |
| When people with Alzheimer's disease begin to have difficulty taking care of themselves, caregivers should take over right away (F) | 53.3 | 0.53±0.5 |
| If a person with Alzheimer's disease becomes alert and agitated at night, a good strategy is to try to make sure that the person gets plenty of physical activity during the day (T) | 60 | 0.60±0.5 |
| When people with Alzheimer's disease repeat the same question or story several times, it is helpful to remind them that they are repeating themselves (F) | 80 | 0.80±0.4 |
| Once people have Alzheimer's disease, they are no longer capable of making informed decisions about their own care (F) | 26.7 | 0.27±0.5 |
| Mean score | 3.20±1.0 | |
| Course of the disease | ||
| After symptoms of Alzheimer's disease appear, the average life expectancy is 6-12 years (T) | 33.3 | 0.33±0.5 |
| In rare cases, people have recovered from Alzheimer's disease (F) | 53.3 | 0.53±0.5 |
| A person with Alzheimer's disease becomes increasingly likely to fall down as the disease gets worse (T) | 66.7 | 0.67±0.5 |
| Eventually, a person with Alzheimer's disease will need 24-h supervision (T) | 66.7 | 0.67±0.5 |
| Mean score | 2.20±1.0 | |
| Overall mean knowledge score (out of 30) | 19.50±3.0 | |
The number of respondents was 15. T, true; F, false.