TABLE 4.
Performance on the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) by adult American Indian/Alaska Native pow‐wow attendees (n = 341)
| ADKS item | Provided correct response % (95% CI) |
|---|---|
| Assessment and Diagnosis Domain | |
| If trouble with memory and confused thinking appears suddenly, it is likely due to Alzheimer's disease (FALSE) | 51 (46–57) |
| Alzheimer's disease is one type of dementia (TRUE) | 85 (81–89) |
| Symptoms of severe depression can be mistaken for symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (TRUE) | 62 (57–67) |
| When a person with Alzheimer's disease becomes agitated, a medical examination might reveal other health problems that caused the agitation (TRUE) | 78 (73–82) |
| Disease Course Domain | |
| In rare cases, people have recovered from Alzheimer's disease (FALSE) | 65 (60–70) |
| Eventually, a person with Alzheimer's disease will need 24‐hour supervision (TRUE) | 87 (83–90) |
| After symptoms of Alzheimer's disease appear, the average life expectancy is 6–12 years (TRUE) | 57 (51–62) |
| A person with Alzheimer's disease becomes increasingly likely to fall down as the disease gets worse (TRUE) | 68 (63–73) |
| Life Impact Domain | |
| It is safe for people with Alzheimer's disease to drive, as long as they have a companion in the car at all times (FALSE) | 79 (75–84) |
| Most people with Alzheimer's disease live in nursing homes (FALSE) | 54 (48–59) |
| People with Alzheimer's disease are particularly prone to depression (TRUE) | 74 (69–79) |
| Treatment and Management Domain | |
| Alzheimer's disease cannot be cured (TRUE) | 74 (69–79) |
| When a person has Alzheimer's disease, using reminder notes is a crutch that can contribute to decline (FALSE) | 61 (55–66) |
| People whose Alzheimer's disease is not yet severe can benefit from psychotherapy for depression and anxiety (TRUE) | 66 (61–71) |
| Poor nutrition can make the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease worse (TRUE) | 72 (67–77) |
| Symptoms Domain | |
| Tremor or shaking of the hands or arms is a common symptom in people with Alzheimer's disease (FALSE) | 50 (45–56) |
| Most people with Alzheimer's disease remember recent events better than things that happened in the past (FALSE) | 63 (58–68) |
| One symptom that can occur with Alzheimer's disease is believing that other people are stealing one's things (TRUE) | 60 (55–65) |
| Trouble handling money or paying bills is a common early symptom of Alzheimer's disease (TRUE) | 75 (70–79) |
| Risk Factor Domain | |
| Genes can only partially account for the development of Alzheimer's disease (TRUE) | 68 (63–73) |
| Prescription drugs that prevent Alzheimer's disease are available (FALSE) | 59 (54–64) |
| People in their 30s can have Alzheimer's disease (TRUE) | 72 (67–77) |
| It has been scientifically proven that mental exercise can prevent a person from getting Alzheimer's disease (FALSE) | 44 (39–49) |
| Having high blood pressure may increase a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (TRUE) | 53 (48–59) |
| Having high cholesterol may increase a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (TRUE) | 47 (42–52) |
| Caregiving Domain | |
| People with Alzheimer's disease do best with simple instructions giving one step at a time (TRUE) | 84 (80–88) |
| 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 (FALSE) | 49 (44–55) |
| 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 (TRUE) | 75 (70–80) |
| Once people have Alzheimer's disease, they are no longer capable of making informed decisions about their own care (FALSE) | 38 (33–44) |
| When people with Alzheimer's disease begin to have difficulty taking care of themselves, caregivers should take over right away (FALSE) | 28 (23–33) |