Lay person's recommendations about interventions for Alzheimer's disease: correlates and relationship to help-seeking behavior.
The aim of this study was to examine lay persons' beliefs about the helpfulness of interventions for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its correlates. Interviews were conducted with 206 Jewish Israeli adults (mean age 59.7), using an experimental vignette methodology varying in the severity of the disease. Information regarding participants 'recommendations about the helpfulness of 10 interventions for the person described in the vignette was elicited. Sociodemographic and psychological correlates were examined. We discovered that the lay public endorses the use of nonpharmacological treatments more than pharmacological ones. Engagement in social activities and participation in a support group were the treatment approaches most recommended, while the use of physical restraints and isolation were the least recommended. Beliefs about AD treatments were associated with help-seeking from professional sources. Advances in the development of effective treatments for AD should be accompanied by research into the public's understanding of these treatments.
Wemer
Perla
P
Department of Gerontology, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Studies, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011639:Public Opinion; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000523:psychology; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D014815:Vitamins