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01-12-2021 | Dementia | Research

Does awareness of condition help people with mild-to-moderate dementia to live well? Findings from the IDEAL programme

Authors: Catherine M. Alexander, Anthony Martyr, Laura D. Gamble, Sharon A. Savage, Catherine Quinn, Robin G. Morris, Rachel Collins, Linda Clare, in collaboration with the IDEAL programme research team

Published in: BMC Geriatrics | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

People living with dementia vary in awareness of their abilities. We explored awareness of the condition and diagnosis in people with mild-to-moderate dementia, and how this relates to quality of life, well-being, life satisfaction, and caregiver stress.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional exploratory analysis of data from the IDEAL cohort, which recruited people with dementia living at home and available caregivers from 29 research sites in Great Britain. Our study included 917 people with mild-to-moderate dementia and 755 carers. Low and high awareness groups were derived from self-reported responses to a dementia representation measure. Logistic regression was used to explore predictors of awareness of condition and diagnosis using demographic, cognitive, functional and psychological measures, and the relationship with quality of life, well-being and life satisfaction (‘living well’), and caregiver stress.

Results

There were 83 people with low awareness of their condition. The remaining 834 people showed some awareness and 103 of these had high awareness of their condition and diagnosis. Psychosocial factors were stronger predictors of awareness than cognitive and functional ability. Those with higher awareness reported lower mood, and lower scores on indices of living well as well as lower optimism, self-efficacy and self-esteem. Low awareness was more likely in those aged 80y and above, and living in more socially deprived areas. No relationship was seen between caregiver stress and awareness.

Conclusions

Awareness of the condition and diagnosis varies in people with mild-to-moderate dementia and is relevant to the capability to live well. Awareness should be considered in person-centered clinical care.

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Title: Does awareness of condition help people with mild-to-moderate dementia to live well? Findings from the IDEAL programme
Authors: Catherine M. Alexander
Anthony Martyr
Laura D. Gamble
Sharon A. Savage
Catherine Quinn
Robin G. Morris
Rachel Collins
Linda Clare
in collaboration with the IDEAL programme research team
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Dementia
Dementia
Published in: BMC Geriatrics / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2318
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02468-4

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