title: Dementia literacy in older adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the increasing aging population, it is predicted that there will also be a rise in the number of people with dementia. Although there is no definitive cure, early detection and access to treatment and services remains the cornerstone of management. Misinformation and poor knowledge about dementia may lead to delayed diagnosis. A study of dementia literacy was undertaken to explore current knowledge in a metropolitan city in Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A vignette describing an older person with symptoms of cognitive impairment was posted out to volunteers at the local hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of participants surveyed correctly identified that the person in the vignette was suffering from symptoms of dementia or cognitive impairment. However, there was more variation with regard to types of treatment available and appropriate help-seeking behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although people are able to identify symptoms of dementia when they are presented in a scenario, the reality is often not as clear. More education to improve knowledge with regard to this increasingly common disorder is required so that appropriate interventions can be made available.
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age, St Vincent's Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, St George's Hospital, Kew, Vic., Australia.|Melbourne Health/North Western Aged Persons Mental Health Program, Parkville, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Samantha M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Loi
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age, St Vincent's Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, St George's Hospital, Kew, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Nicola T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Lautenschlager
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D000067010:Literacy / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: dementia literacy; mental health literacy; older adult