Attitudes about older adults with dementia

Abstract

Dementia, a term that describes a variety of brain conditions marked by gradual, persistent, and progressive cognitive decline, affects 5 to 8% of older adults. Persons with dementia are sometimes perceived by others as having lower personhood than persons without dementia. Personhood is a “status that is bestowed upon one human being, by others, in the context of relationship and social being... impl[ying] recognition, respect, and trust” (Kitwood, 1997, p. 8). Older adults are sometimes perceived less favorably than younger adults. It is unknown, however, if beliefs concerning personhood in dementia and attitudes about older persons differ as a function of demographic group (e.g., how younger vs. older adults perceive persons with dementia). This study was aimed to investigate age differences in attitudes toward older adults and dementia, as well as in personhood perception about persons with dementia. A between-subjects research design was used. Four groups including young adults (18-35 years old), middle-aged adults (40-60 years old), older adults (65 years old and older), and informal caregivers of persons with dementia were compared. Baseline dementia knowledge was highest in caregivers and older adults and lowest in young and middle-aged adults. The majority of participants had neutral attitudes toward older persons. Negative attitudes were least common in older adults and positive attitudes were infrequently reported by young adults. Caregivers had positive attitudes toward persons with dementia whereas the other groups had neutral attitudes. Overall, most young adults and older adults ascribed lower personhood to persons with dementia in comparison to middle-aged adults and caregivers.