Challenges in public perception: highlights from the United Kingdom-Brazil Dementia Workshop

Abstract

ABSTRACT. In July 2019, Belo Horizonte hosted an international workshop for 27 junior researchers, whose participants were from Brazil and the United Kingdom. This three-day meeting organized by the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais and the University of East Anglia addressed challenges in cognitive impairment and dementia, with particular interest in public perceptions, diagnosis and care management. The purpose of this report is to highlight the outcomes of the above-mentioned workshop regarding the topic of public perceptions (part I). Discussions focused on differences and similarities between countries, as well as on identifying main issues that required collaborative and creative solutions. After these group discussions, four core themes emerged: I) cognitive impairment; II) dementia - beyond Alzheimer’s disease; III) prevention; and IV) stigma. National and international initiatives to deal with public misperceptions about cognitive impairment and dementia were discussed.

Acoustical Analysis of Differential Diagnosis of Cognitive State of Older Adults

“…Despite the large number of people diagnosed with dementia, in the USA, only about half of the people who meet the criteria for a dementia diagnosis have received a formal diagnosis from a clinician (Amjad et al, 2018). People9s willingness to accept 8forgetfulness9 in older people as normal and the lack of public appreciation that several distinct varieties of dementia exist are probable factors in the under-diagnosis of dementia (de Carvalho Pelegrini et al, 2020).…”

“…The prevalence of dementia is predicted to increase to 78 million in 2030 (WHO, 2022).Despite the large number of people diagnosed with dementia, in the USA, only about half of the people who meet the criteria for a dementia diagnosis have received a formal diagnosis from a clinician (Amjad et al, 2018). People9s willingness to accept 8forgetfulness9 in older people as normal and the lack of public appreciation that several distinct varieties of dementia exist are probable factors in the under-diagnosis of dementia (de Carvalho Pelegrini et al, 2020).These public perception issues combine with invasive diagnostic procedures to limit dementia diagnoses. Currently, to reach a diagnosis of dementia types, genetic and protein biomarkers, neuroanatomical features, and behavioral symptoms are used (Cummings, 2019).Diagnostic tests include brain imaging, mental status, and neurological exams (Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia, 2022).…”

Mindfulness sociocognitivo e sua relação com a queixa de memória e o desempenho cognitivo de pessoas idosas com diferentes níveis de escolaridade

“…memória(MELO;CARAMELLI, 2007;SEZGIN et al, 2019).Sabe-se que, atualmente, existe um estigma relacionado à demência. Tanto as pessoas idosas, quanto seus familiares recebem o diagnóstico com muito medo, como uma sentença de desdobramentos negativos e morte, e, não raramente, os familiares pedem para que o diagnóstico seja mantido em sigilo para a pessoa idosa(PELEGRINI, 2020). Neste sentido, tanto ações voltadas às pessoas idosas e aos familiares, como também aos profissionais da saúde, são imperativas.Além disso, os familiares, que muitas vezes se transformam, repentinamente, em cuidadores das pessoas idosas acometidas pelas síndromes demenciais, se sentem não apenas com medo, como também sobrecarregados pela tarefa do cuidar, o que geralmente se desdobra em prejuízos emocionais, isolamento social e transtorno de humor (VAN DEN KIEBOOM et al, 2020).…”