Knowledge about Aging and Alzheimer Disease: A Comparison of Professional Caregivers and Noncaregivers |
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| Authors: | Tiana B Rust Sheree Kwong See |
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| Institution: | 1. Centre for Health Promotion Studies , University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta, Canada rust@ualberta.ca;3. Department of Psychology , University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
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| Abstract: | This study assessed professional caregivers of persons with Alzheimer disease (AD) and non-caregivers' knowledge about aging and AD. Participants completed modified versions of the Alzheimer Disease Knowledge Test and the multiple-choice version of the Facts on Aging Quiz #1. Overall, knowledge levels about AD and aging were low. Caregivers were found to be more knowledgeable about AD than were noncaregivers (58% and 42% correct, respectively), but these groups did not differ on knowledge about aging (40% and 39% correct, respectively). The most common misconceptions and areas of ignorance on the two tests demonstrate that participants rely on age stereotypes. |
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