Dementia Attitude Scale Research Articles

Knowledge, Attitudes and Confidence in Providing Dementia Care to Older Adults Among Nurses Practicing in Hanoi, Vietnam: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Nurses' competencies are crucial in providing effective dementia care in healthcare settings for older people. Understanding nurses' current knowledge, attitudes and confidence in this area is essential for developing education programmes for healthcare professionals to improve patient care. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and confidence related to providing dementia care among nurses practicing in geriatric hospital wards and nursing homes in Hanoi, Vietnam. A total of 269 out of 313 (response rate was 86%) full-time nurses working at six geriatric wards in hospitals and nursing homes in Hanoi were surveyed using three self-administered questionnaires: the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS), Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS) and the Confidence in Dementia Scale (CODE). Multiple regression models were constructed to identify factors associated with dementia care knowledge, attitudes and confidence. The overall mean scores of nurse's knowledge, attitudes and confidence were 28.1 ± 8.0, 102.1 ± 13.4 and 28.3 ± 6.4, respectively. A positive correlation was reported between the knowledge and attitude scores and between the attitudes and confidence scores. Greater seniority (β: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.03-0.56) and having learned information through colleagues or experts (β: 3.02; 95% CI: 0.88-5.16) were associated with better dementia knowledge. A higher level of dementia training desirability was associated with increased knowledge (β: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.28-1.20) and favourable attitudes (β: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.15-1.74), whereas frequent exposure to dementia cases was associated with higher confidence (β: 3.56; 95% CI: 1.39-5.73) and more favourable attitudes (β: 3.96; 95% CI: 0.27-7.66). Our study highlights deficits in knowledge, low levels of social comfort in nurses' attitudes towards people with dementia and a lack of confidence in providing effective care among nurses practicing in healthcare settings for older adults in Hanoi, Vietnam. With the ageing of the population and with increasing numbers of persons living with dementia, our findings suggest the importance of improving the training of nurses to specifically address these deficits. Multidisciplinary consultation meetings need to be encouraged in the healthcare workplace setting as well as ensuring the presence of qualified counsellors for care teams working with older adults in non-hospital settings. Training about non-cognitive symptoms of dementia and demonstrating effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills is critical and should be integrated into nurse's educational training.

A study of knowledge on Alzheimer's disease and attitudes of Chinese social residents toward Alzheimer's disease: A cross-sectional survey in China.

Social residents become increasingly concerned about Alzheimer's dementia (AD) as a global public health crisis. China's AD population is the largest and growing fastest. However, no study has examined Chinese social residents' knowledge and attitudes concerning Alzheimer's illness. This study examined Chinese social residents' AD knowledge and attitudes using the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) and dementia attitudes scale (DAS). Cross-sectional survey. 338 social residents over 18 years old from various Chinese regions were recruited using convenient sampling. The ADKS (Chinese) and the Dementia Attitude Scale (Chinese) were used to assess their knowledge and attitude regarding AD. A total of 328 respondents (97.04%) completed the survey. ADKS= 19.44± 3.33; DAS=86.98±12.7. Age and education levels can have a substantial impact on ADKS scores, and education levels can have a substantial impact on DAS scores. Low levels of awareness and acceptance of AD exist among Chinese residents. The results indicate that China must immediately implement comprehensive AD education for its social residents.

Dementia Knowledge, Attitude toward Dementia, and Confidence in Dementia Care: Impact of a Dementia Training on German Nursing Students.

The number of people with dementia (PwD) in acute care hospitals is steadily increasing, posing a challenge for those who work closely with patients. To date, no German study has addressed the extent to which prospective nurses benefit from dementia training in terms of their knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in caring for PwD. The aim of this study is to investigate whether a validated dementia training for registered nurses can positively change nursing students' knowledge about dementia, their attitude toward PwD, and their confidence in caring for them, as well as the stability over time. In the one-group pre-test, post-test design, a sample of 81 nursing students was recruited from two nursing schools in Germany between May and June 2023. They completed a questionnaire consisting of the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale, the Dementia Attitude Scale, and the Confidence in Dementia Scale, as well as sociodemographic questions and experiences with PwD at three measurement points. The data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test and repeated measures ANOVA. The training has a significant effect on knowledge in dementia (z = -5.07, p < 0.001), attitude toward PwD (z = -4.42, p < 0.001), and confidence in caring for them at the post-test (z = -3. 21, p < 0.001, r = 0.36). The repeated measures ANOVA shows stability over time only for dementia knowledge. The results indicate the need for further research in this field as well as the validation of the dementia training specifically addressing nursing students.

Evaluation of knowledge and attitudes regarding Alzheimer's disease and related dementia among medical students in Palestine: A cross-sectional study.

Dementia, a major global health concern, is an acquired disorder that causes a progressive decline in cognitive abilities, affecting learning and memory, language, executive function, complex attention, perceptual-motor skills, and social cognition. Our study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes regarding dementia and Alzheimer's disease among medical students. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 393 medical students in Palestine from August 2023 to November 2023. The assessment of knowledge and attitude toward dementia was measured using the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) and Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS). The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, and the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare the mean between the groups with a 5% significance level. The overall mean score of the student's knowledge of dementia measured by the ADKS was 18.91 (±3.32 SD) out of 30. The mean score of the student's attitude toward dementia measured by the DAS was 91.68 (±3.32 SD). Clinical students had higher ADKS scores than pre-clinical students (p-value < 0.001). No significant differences in the knowledge and attitudes toward dementia were found between males and females. The medical students' knowledge and attitude scores were positively correlated (ρ = 0.227, p-value <0.001). Palestinian medical student's knowledge about Alzheimer's disease and dementia is insufficient, with students in the clinical phase showing better understanding than pre-clinical students. The findings highlight a necessity for enhancing the dementia curriculum and conducting further studies to evaluate training's impact on students' knowledge and attitudes.

A comparative study of population characteristics and capacity aspects of dementia care between the nursing home and hospital nurses in Hanoi, Vietnam

Nurses play an important role in dementia care delivery in hospitals and communities. Exploring nurses’ capacity aspects in dementia care such as knowledge, attitudes, and confidence is essential for developing appropriate health professional education to achieve optimal care in different aged care facilities. This cross-sectional study aimed to describe and examine the differences in population characteristics and dementia care capacity between the nursing home and hospital nurses in Hanoi, Vietnam from January to March 2023. Data were collected using three self-administered questionnaires: The Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS), the Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS), and the Confidence in Dementia Scale (CODE). The number of nursing home and hospital nurses completing the survey was 111 and 158 respectively. There were no statistically significant difference in the mean of the total knowledge score and attitude score between the two nurse groups. Hospital nurses were more knowledgeable about the dementia pathology and health promotion, whereas nursing home nurses had a better understanding of communication and dealing with behavioral difficulties in patients, as well as having more confidence (p&lt;0.05). Different professional training for different types of facilities should be developed and implemented to achieve qualified dementia care.

The impacts of nurses' attitudes towards dementia, critical reflection competency, and nursing work environment on person-centered nursing in acute care hospitals: A descriptive study

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the attitudes of acute care nurses towards dementia, their critical reflection competency, and the level of nursing work environment and to identify the factors relating to person-centered nursing. Methods: The study was conducted for 149 nurses with at least 1 year of experience working in acute care hospitals and providing nursing care to hospitalized elderly patients. The measurements used were the Dementia Attitude Scale Korean version, the Critical Reflection Competency Scale, the Nursing Work Environment Scale, and the Person-Centered Nursing Assessment Tool. The collected data were analyzed with frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ANOVA test, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression using IBM SPSS 29.0 software. Results: The factors influencing person-centered nursing performance were critical reflection competency (β=.49, p&lt;.001), attitudes towards dementia (β=.29, p&lt;.001), and clinical career (β=-.26, p=.024), having the explanation power of 59.6%. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that critical reflection competency, attitudes towards dementia, and clinical career have an impact on person-centered nursing performance. Specifically, higher levels of critical reflection competency and positive attitudes towards dementia were predictors with higher levels of person-centered nursing performance. Therefore, to enhance person-centered nursing performance among acute care nurses, it is important to prioritize critical reflection training programs for experienced nurses to enhance their critical reflection competency.

The knowledge and attitude of Nepalese nursing students towards dementia

BackgroundAs aging is a significant risk factor for dementia, the number of persons with dementia is growing annually as a result of the aging population, which implies the need for better geriatric care services in terms of both quantity and quality. MethodsThe knowledge and attitudes of Nepalese nursing students (n = 177) concerning dementia were examined using a descriptive correlational research approach. Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) and Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS) were used to measure students' knowledge and attitude of dementia. Results and discussionThe overall mean score of the ADKS was found to be 19.64 (SD = 3.363) out of 30, while the total mean score on dementia attitude of the DAS was 93.82 (SD = 10.09) out of 140. A positive relationship was established between the knowledge and the attitude scores (r = 0.148, P = 0.050), demonstrating limited knowledge and positive attitude towards people with dementia in nursing students.

Validity and Reliability of Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale and Dementia Attitude Scale in the Indonesian Language among Nursing Students

BACKGROUND: The population of persons with dementia (PwD) in Indonesia is increasing. As future nurses, it is important to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students because they can affect the quality of health services for PwD. However, no instrument is available in the Indonesian language through a good, valid, and reliable translation process. AIM: The aim is to report the translational process and determine the validity and reliability of the Indonesian dementia knowledge assessment scale (DKAS) and dementia attitude scale (DAS) questionnaires in nursing students. METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted involving 486 nursing students from two universities in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The Brislin method was used to translate DKAS and DAS, then continued with content (involved four experts using items-content validity index [I-CVI]), face, and construct validity tests, as well as reliability tests using Cronbach’s alpha. RESULTS: The I-CVI results were 1.00 for DKAS and 0.98 for DAS, demonstrating a good construct validity index. In addition, the reliability testing had good results, whereas Cronbach’s alpha of the DKAS was 0.713, while DAS was 0.779. CONCLUSION: DKAS and DAS in the Indonesian language are considered valid and reliable to measure nursing student’s knowledge and attitudes toward PwD.

Knowledge and attitudes towards patients with Alzheimer's disease across different educational levels of nursing and in different care settings: A cross-sectional study

AimTo evaluate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) knowledge and attitudes among Israeli nursing students and nurses with different educational backgrounds working in varied geriatric settings BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) management and treatment relies on multidisciplinary care, providing comprehensive treatment to these patients. Nurses are vital to treatment provision. However, less nursing students are expressing interest to work with the geriatric population, including those with dementia. DesignThis was a cross-sectional study. MethodsParticipants were 231 nursing students and nurses of various educational backgrounds and from varied geriatric settings. Study measures included sociodemographic characteristics, the Alzheimer’s disease Knowledge Scale, and the Dementia Attitude Scale. Participants were recruited via social media, nursing administrations in medical facilities, and snowballing methods. Overall scores by educational background and correlations between the measures and select sociodemographic variables were evaluated. ResultsThe overall knowledge and attitudes towards dementia among Israeli nurses is moderate to high. The mean knowledge score was 23.32/30. The highest scores (for knowledge and attitude) were found among geriatric nurse practitioners. The lowest knowledge scores were found among registered nurses without a degree, while the lowest attitude scores was found among nursing students. ConclusionsDespite relatively high scores, there is still a need to minimize the gap in specific knowledge and attitude domains. There is a need for domain-specific training, such as risk factors related to dementia, and providing nurses of all educational backgrounds with the tools they need to feel comfortable in caring for AD patients.

Evaluation of a Dementia Training Course for Staff of a Center of Dementia Care

Introduction: Literature shows poor dementia training and competencies among health and social professionals. Due to the growing prevalence of people with dementia and all the related care demands, specialized training is increasingly needed but must be effective in terms of impact on knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes. We aimed to analyze the impact of a first-level dementia training course for staff of a new specialized center for people with dementia, considering the first three levels of Kirkpatrick’s evaluation framework, namely, staff reaction (satisfaction), skills and learning (knowledge and dementia attitudes), and behavior changes. Methods: This is a single-center group pre-post design study of a 12-session online course. An online questionnaire was administered to measure satisfaction, expectations, knowledge/learning, attitudes (Dementia Attitude Scale), and new behaviors/practices. We compared perceived knowledge (Wilcoxon signed-rank test) and attitudes (paired t test). Thematic analysis explored new behaviors/practices. Results: Eighty-five professionals and 1 volunteer were included (median age 31, 92% female). Satisfaction with the training was high (median 4/5). Perceived knowledge improved (median 3–4; p < 0.001). The knowledge test median score was 70.8%. After training, participants showed better attitudes toward dementia (mean 116.5, SD 10.3, to mean 122.2, SD 11.5; p < 0.001). Most (93%) said their behavior/practice changed. Thematic analysis yielded four new behavior/practice dimensions: care provision/interaction, communication, family/caregivers, and self-confidence. Conclusions: The course improved all dimensions evaluated, suggesting it effectively provides first-level dementia training. This may be transferable to similar settings.

Building a dementia-capable nursing workforce.

Undergraduate nursing students will play a pivotal role in caring for the rising numbers of older adults and people living with dementia (PLWD). However, many do not receive training in geriatrics or dementia and do not enter this field post-graduation, contributing to the workforce shortage. We aimed to capture students' interest and intention to work with PLWD, their suggestions about training, and to evaluate interest in a new elective long-term care (LTC) externship. We developed and administered a survey to Bachelor of Science in Nursing students consisting of questions modified from the Dementia Attitude Scale and related to respondents' health care experience, attitudes about caring for older adults, comfort working with PLWD, and willingness to develop geriatric and dementia care skills. We then conducted focus groups about desired curricular and clinical content. Seventy-six students completed the survey. The majority reported low interest in working with and low knowledge of caring for older adults and PLWD. Six focus group participants expressed interest in participating in hands-on learning opportunities. Participants identified specific training components to attract students to geriatrics education. Our findings informed the development, piloting, and evaluation of a new LTC externship at the University of Washington Schoool of Nursing.

THE EFFICACY OF MUSIC AND DEMENTIA EDUCATION PROJECT ON HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS: PRELIMINARY OUTCOMES

Abstract This study aims to improve dementia literacy and competence to use music in practice with people with dementia among students in health professional fields. The eight-week curriculum was developed by a gerontology social worker and a subject matter expert on personalized music use for people with dementia. Two focus groups were completed in Spring of 2022 with people living with dementia and care partners to refine the curriculum and include information that those with lived experience felt was important for future health care professionals to know. The study used 2 single group designed cohorts of students who received the 8-week educational intervention over Zoom. Each cohort included 2 persons living with dementia (PWD) as co-trainers. Pre- and post- surveys included a modified Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale and Dementia Attitude Scale. Participants (n=17) included Social Work = 8, Nursing = 2, Psychology =3, and Others =4. Total of 11 student participants completed both pre-test and post-test surveys. Paired t-tests were used to compare pre-post differences. At post-test, participants reported increased dementia knowledge (M=2.45, p=.0027); increased dementia attitudes (M=13.18, p=.0057); and improved competency on using music with PWD (M=.97, p=.0045)compared to the baseline scores. The 8-week intervention showed a statistically positive impact on dementia attitudes and competency of music use. The findings of this study laid the groundwork for future studies on training current service professionals and comparing their practice after the training to non-trained professionals to measure the impact of the training in intervention.

Building a Dementia-Capable Nursing Workforce.

Today's undergraduate nursing students will play a pivotal role in caring for the rising numbers of older adults and people living with dementia (PLWD). Because current nursing training does not require dementia care competencies, new graduates may not be adequately prepared to care for this population. This study aimed to capture students' interest and intention to work with older adults and PLWD as a career path, and elicit their feedback on how best to structure educational and clinical training offerings that would attract them to this field. Long-Term care (LTC) settings blend clinical and residential features in a comprehensive setting uniquely suited for teaching nursing students about dementia. Hence, we evaluated students' interest in enrolling in a new elective rotation, the LTC Externship. We designed and administered a survey and conducted a focus group. The survey consisted of 20 questions modified from the Dementia Attitude Scale and eight questions related to respondents' health care experience and attitudes about nursing care for older adults, comfort working with PLWD, and willingness to further develop geriatric and dementia care skills. Focus group enrollment was limited to the first 8 participants who expressed interest and completed preliminary questionnaires. First and second-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing students at the University of Washington School of Nursing (SoN). Seventy Six of 223 (34%) students responded to the survey. The majority expressed low interest in working with older adults, as evidenced by the low survey response rate, low self-reported knowledge of nursing care for PLWD, and a lack of desire to work with older adults after graduation. Among the eight focus group participants, six expressed interest in acquiring additional knowledge and hands-on learning opportunities. Participants identified three specific training components that could attract students to geriatrics and LTC education: weekly structured seminars that reflect the depth of relevant scholarship; access to interactive, relevant pre-study materials developed by clinicians; and 4-6 hours per week of supervised paid, clinical training in hands-on skills. The findings informed the development of a LTC Externship at the UW SoN that is currently being piloted and evaluated.

Validation of the Adapted German Versions of the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool 2, the Dementia Attitude Scale, andtheConfidence in Dementia Scale forthe General Population.

There are almost no validated tools in German that assess dementia knowledge, attitude toward dementia, and confidence in the general population. Translation and validation of the German version of the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool 2 (DKAT2), the Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS), and the Confidence in Dementia Scale (CODE). Instruments were translated into German and adapted for the general public. A convenience sample of 263 persons was recruited via an online platform. Validation of the tools' psychometric properties consisted of an assessment of its reliability (internal consistency and 4-week test-retest reliability of a subgroup with n = 110), an analysis of its construct validity through principal component analysis and known-group analysis, convergent validity, and an item analysis for DKAT2-D. This study used the STROBE checklist for reporting. Acceptable to excellent internal reliability was found for DAS-D (α= 0.90), DKAT2-D (α= 0.78), and CODE-D (α= 0.93). The principal component analysis confirmed the two-factor model for the DAS-D as well as the one-factor solution for CODE-D. The intra-class correlation coefficient between the first and the 4-week retest was good (CODE-D: 0.897; 0.849-0.929) to excellent (DKAT2-D: 0.918; 0.879-0.945 and DAS-D: 0.940; 0.910-0.960). Known-group analysis revealed that DAS-D, DKAT-D, and CODE-D could distinguish between individuals with or without experience with people with dementia and with or without participation in a dementia course. The German versions DAS-D, DKAT2-D, and CODE-D are reliable and valid tools to measure knowledge, attitude, and confidence in dementia in the German-speaking general population.

Influence of dementia literacy and caregiving appraisal on the psychological wellbeing of informal caregivers of people with dementia: A cross-sectional study.

BackgroundDementia informal caregiving is a global phenomenon. It is well documented that caregivers' psychological health is often affected by busy caregiving schedules. Lawton's two-factor model indicates that caregivers' psychological wellbeing is influenced by caregiving appraisal and other caregiver factors. Our review also identified the significance of dementia literacy, which was an essential caregiver factor. However, it is imperative for a clear understanding of the mechanism of how psychological wellbeing is influenced by them.ObjectivesTo explore the association among dementia literacy, caregiving appraisal, and psychological wellbeing and the influencing mechanisms between them.MethodsTwo hundred and twenty-three informal caregivers of people with dementia were involved in this cross-sectional study. Dementia literacy was measured by the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale and Dementia Attitude Scale. Caregiving appraisal and psychological wellbeing were measured with the Caregiving Appraisal Scale and Ryff's Psychological wellbeing Scale, respectively. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of participants and key outcome variables. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation among the variables. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the hypothetical mediating role of caregiving appraisal in the relationship between dementia literacy (i.e., knowledge of dementia and attitude toward dementia) and caregivers' psychological wellbeing.ResultsThe hypotheses were partially confirmed. Attitude toward dementia was significantly associated with caregiving appraisal (r = 0.312, p < 0.01) and psychological wellbeing (r = 0.311, p < 0.01). However, knowledge of dementia was only significantly associated with psychological wellbeing (r = 0.136, p < 0.05). The structural equation modeling fitted well (p = 0.078, CFI = 0.987, RMSEA = 0.038). In the fitted model, caregiving appraisal partially mediated the association between attitude toward dementia and psychological wellbeing. In contrast, attitude toward dementia and caregiving appraisal fully mediated the association between knowledge of dementia and psychological wellbeing.ConclusionEfforts can be exerted to improve dementia caregivers' caregiving appraisal and attitude toward dementia to improve their psychological wellbeing.

How formal caregiver’s BPSD knowledge influences positive aspects of caregiving: the mediating role of attitude and the moderating role of self-efficacy

BackgroundThe current study investigated the relationship between behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) knowledge and positive aspects of caregiving (PAC), in addition, how caregiving attitude and self-efficacy mediate or moderate this relationship.MethodsTwo hundred twenty-nine formal caregivers (51males and 178females) who has worked in nursing homes for more than a month were recruited.With a cross-sectional, face-to-face survey, structural questionnaires were implemented to evaluate formal caregiver’s BPSD knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy and PAC.A 13-item self-developed questionnaire was used to assess caregiver’s BPSD knowledge about disease characteristics, care and risks, and treatment needs. Dementia attitude, self-efficacy and positive aspects of caregiving were measured by dementia attitude scale, the General self-efficacy scale, and Chinese version of positive aspects of caregiving respectively. Model 5 in the PROCESS micro was employed in order to verify the mediating effect of attitude and the moderating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between BPSD knowledge and PAC.ResultsThe results showed that greater BPSD knowledge was associated with increased PAC, and this relationship was fully mediated by increased friendly attitude toward people with dementia. Moreover, direct effect was moderated by self-efficacy, and that only among those with high self-efficacy, the direct effect of BPSD knowledge was found on promoting PAC.ConclusionsBy elucidating the knowledge-attitude-practice pathway in handling patient’s BPSD, the current study extends existing literature and provides insights for developing psychoeducation programs among formal caregivers.

Informal Caregivers' Attitude Toward Dementia: The Impact of Dementia Knowledge, Confidence in Dementia Care, and the Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of the Person with Dementia. A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background:Dementia is rapidly increasing worldwide due to demographic aging. More than two-thirds of patients are cared by family members. The quality of care depends on the caregivers’ attitude toward dementia influencing patient care decisions.Objective:The aim of this study is to examine the factors that influence the caregivers’ attitude and whether there is an association between participation in a psycho-educational program and attitude.Methods:We performed a cross-sectional study using a structured closed-ended questionnaire to retrieve socio-demographic information from caregivers and the persons with dementia (N = 86). The study included validated scales such as the Dementia Attitude Scale, the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool 2, the Positive Aspects of Caregiving, the Zarit Burden Interview, the Confidence in Dementia Scale, and Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, as well as a neuropsychological battery to assess the condition of people with dementia.Results:Our final model explains 55.6% of the total variance and shows a significant correlation of five factors with attitude toward dementia: confidence, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, anxiety as a trait, positive aspects of caregiving, and dementia knowledge. The caregivers who participated in a psycho-educational program showed a significantly more positive attitude toward dementia, better dementia knowledge, higher confidence in dementia care, and lower anxiety as a state.Conclusion:The strong correlation of attitude and knowledge, as well as confidence in dementia care, supports the tripartite model of attitude, which hypothesizes the interrelation of affect, cognition, and behavior.

Students’ Attitude Change: Virtual vs. In-Person Intergenerational, Arts-Based Courses

When higher education classes went virtual at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, converting an in-person, arts-based, service-learning course into a meaningful, virtual experience seemed impossible. However, the Opening Minds through Art (OMA) program developed online courses where students met older adults weekly over Zoom to create and discuss art. Undergraduate and graduate students at Miami and Marian Universities (n=47) came from more than 20 different areas of study and had varying knowledge of gerontology and dementia. Pre- and post-assessments were administered at the start and end of the academic semester. Paired-samples t-tests were conducted to examine pre-post changes in students’ attitudes toward people living with dementia (PLWD) using the Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS) (O’Connor & McFadden, 2010) and the extent students actually like PLWD using the Allophilia scale (Pittinsky et al, 2011). Students in virtual OMA courses showed significant improvement in overall DAS and Allophilia scores and all subdomain scores (i.e., general knowledge about dementia, affection, social comfort level, kinship, and engagement and enthusiasm when interacting with PLWD), with moderate to high effect sizes (Cohen’s d range between 0.39 and 1.10). The magnitudes of these effect sizes for virtual OMA are comparable to previous studies examining students’ participation in face-to-face OMA sessions, where Cohen’s d on DAS and Allophilia scales ranged between 0.48 and 1.07 (Lokon et al, 2017, 2018). Overall, we found that it is possible to design virtual service-learning courses that improve students’ attitudes toward PLWD as effectively as face-to-face courses.

Knowledge and attitude of caregivers of people with dementia.

This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of caregivers of people with dementia towards the disease (Alzheimer disease). The secondary objective of the study was to assess the association of attitude and knowledge towards dementia. In total, 50 patients with dementia and their caregivers were included in the present study. Caregivers were evaluated on the Dementia Attitude Scale and Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) to assess the level of knowledge and attitude. The mean age of patients was 72.2 years, and the majority of them were men, married, from joint/extended family setup, urban background, and upper or upper-middle socioeconomic status. The mean age of the caregivers was 48.04 years, and the majority was educated more than the matric level. Nearly half of the caregivers were children, and about one-third were the spouse of the person with dementia. The mean duration of the caregiver role was 3.6 ± 3.0 years, while the average time spent in caregiving was 7.4 ± 2.9 h/day. Using the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale, the mean knowledge score for the caregivers was 16.9 ± 2.7. In terms of individual items on the knowledge scale, most of the caregivers were aware of most aspects of dementia. In terms of the mean weighted score, the maximum score was for the domains of course and symptoms and this was followed by the domain of "treatment and management." The lowest score was obtained for the domain of assessment and diagnosis on ADKS. On the Dementia Attitude Scale, the mean total score was 76.4 ± 18.4. The mean total score for the knowledge domain was higher than the support domain. The current study suggests that most caregivers with dementia have a reasonable level of knowledge about dementia. However, in terms of attitude, caregivers of people with dementia have a less positive attitude towards dementia. The study's finding suggests that there is a need to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of the caregivers of people with dementia and the gaps must be addressed to improve the outcome, both for the people with dementia and their caregivers. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 19-25.

LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE ON DEMENTIA CARE AMONG NURSES

Background: It is a concern in meeting patients’ needs with a high prevalence of dementia across the world. However, dementia care has always been neglected. Nurses are expected to be capable of being able to care for people with dementia. Purpose: This study aims to determine the level of knowledge and attitude on dementia care and their association among nurses at a private hospital. Methods: This is a quantitative cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire using Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) and Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS) were adopted in the study. In this study, a simple random sampling method was used to recruit 102 nurses. Results: Findings show that nurses have poor knowledge (M=23.59, SD=6.79) but with a positive attitude (M=98.99, SD=12.08) on dementia care. There is no association between level of knowledge and attitude in dementia care (p&gt; .05) among nurses. Conclusions: The educators, policy makers and administrators in healthcare settings are recommended to provide a support system and training strategy for nurses to improve their knowledge in caring for patients with dementia. Future study may be considered to examine the influencing factors and barriers related to dementia care.