Working with community to improve dementia outcomes
Millard, Fiona, Baune, Bernhard, Kennedy, Lee, and Gunnarsson, Ronny (2013) Working with community to improve dementia outcomes. In: Abstracts from the 2013 Primary Health Care Research Conference. From: 2013 Primary Health Care Research Conference, 2013, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Abstract
Aims & Rationale/Objectives: To describe general practitioner (GP) and community dementia literacy and how this knowledge may be used to reduce dementia risk factors and provide a timely diagnosis that can improve quality of life.
Methods: A review of published literature on community dementia literacy provides a background for this study where adult patients and GPs respond to questionnaires exploring their roles in diagnosis and prevention of dementia.
Principal findings: Most people (61) associate dementia with memory loss and 46 consider there is a stigma to the diagnosis. They learn about dementia from acquaintances (31) and the media (33) but seldom from their doctor (1). However, they expect their doctor to know about dementia and provide help should they be diagnosed with the condition. Many (37) have memory concerns but only 6 were offered a memory test, despite 52 being receptive to having one. Most people (78) want to learn more about preventing dementia and 93 would like to be told the diagnosis should they have the condition.
Implications: Health literacy can assist help seeking behavior. However, many health professionals feel nothing can be done for people with dementia despite strong evidence that referral too support agencies can improve quality of life. Healthy ageing benefits from reduction of risk factors for illness such as diabetes and heart disease. Although dementia shares many similar risk factors, unlike these treatable conditions, dementia once started does not stop. Effective prevention must start early as the disease may begin many years before symptoms appear.
| Item ID: | 37970 |
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| Item Type: | Conference Item (Abstract / Summary) |
| Keywords: | dementia |
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| Date Deposited: | 05 Oct 2016 00:16 |
| FoR Codes: | 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111702 Aged Health Care @ 50% 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111717 Primary Health Care @ 50% |
| SEO Codes: | 92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920207 Health Policy Evaluation @ 100% |
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