title: Dementia: The need for attitudinal change.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To undertake a systematic inquiry into the experience of living with dementia in the community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Action research, underpinned by critical hermeneutics, brought together action and reflection, theory and practice to generate knowledge. Data were gathered by interviews and observations in participants' homes, and focus group discussions in community settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven people with mild to moderate dementia and their primary caregiver aged 59-84, living in Auckland, New Zealand.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings reveal a conflict between living positively with dementia, and enduring the negative attitudes that typify the dominant social discourse. The central argument arising from the findings is the significance of personal attitudes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implications for policy makers, health care providers, and caregivers highlight the need to change the ways in which dementia is perceived. The pursuit of positive attitudes will do much to change social perceptions and enable people with dementia to live with a sense of well-being.
authors: Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand sullies@xtra.co.nz.
authors: Grace
authors: G
authors: O'Sullivan
authors: Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.
authors: Clare
authors: C
authors: Hocking
authors: Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.
authors: Deb
authors: D
authors: Spence
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001290:Attitude; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D057545:Social Stigma
keywords: action research; attitudes; dementia; prejudice; stigma