Perception of Alzheimer's disease in the French population

Abstract

General representation of AD is changing in a positive way and, even though AD is perceived as a calamity, people are confident that solutions will be found in the future.

What does the general public understand about prevention and treatment of dementia? A systematic review of population-based surveys

“…Belief that specific non-genetic factors increase the risk for dementia was highest with alcohol consumption (Median 71%, range 67–88%, n = 1736) [ 22 , 26 ], stroke (Median 62%, range 33–71%, n = 4137) [ 22 , 26 – 28 , 35 , 42 , 47 ], stress (Median 56%, range 38–83%, n = 4347) [ 22 , 31 , 56 ], and infection (Median 53%, range 14–58%, n = 1736) [ 22 , 26 ]. Fewer than half of respondents believed that risk for dementia was associated with high cholesterol (Median 47%, range 25–60%, n = 1014) [ 29 , 37 , 50 ], hypertension (Median 46%, range 25–60%, n = 1014) [ 29 , 37 , 50 ], drug consumption (Median 43%, n = 1476) [ 22 ], air pollution (Median 41%, range 26–56%, n = 4013) [ 34 , 53 ], emotional trauma (Median 31%, n = 1476) [ 22 ], or psychiatric or psychological illness (Median 26%, range 21–55%, n = 4063) [ 22 , 45 ]. Despite its well-established relationship with dementia, only six per cent of respondents agreed that low education increased risk in the one study in which it was included ( n = 1111) [ 45 ].…”

“…On the other hand, 75 per cent of participants in two US studies [ 31 , 46 ] believed vitamins are available to prevent or reduce risk for dementia ( n = 2571). Most respondents in eight studies agreed that risk for dementia was reduced with mental activity (Median 61%, range 34–95%, n = 9313) [ 31 , 34 , 37 , 40 , 49 , 50 , 55 , 56 ]. However, when Bowes et al [ 33 ] specifically asked why respondents aged 50–65 years old participated in mental activities, very few reported ranked dementia risk reduction as their primary aim (1–8%).…”

“…However, when Bowes et al [ 33 ] specifically asked why respondents aged 50–65 years old participated in mental activities, very few reported ranked dementia risk reduction as their primary aim (1–8%). Belief in physical activity to reduce risk for dementia was moderate overall (Median = 41%, n = 11,966) but endorsement in individual studies ranged from 14 to 94 per cent [ 21 , 30 , 31 , 34 , 47 , 49 , 55 , 56 ]. Those with lower endorsement may be more representative as they tended to employ random digit dialling for recruitment [ 30 , 39 ] while those with higher endorsement were already involved in a prospective cohort study of ageing [ 31 ] or were recruited from health services [ 47 ].…”

“…Those with lower endorsement may be more representative as they tended to employ random digit dialling for recruitment [ 30 , 39 ] while those with higher endorsement were already involved in a prospective cohort study of ageing [ 31 ] or were recruited from health services [ 47 ]. All other non-pharmacological prevention strategies were poorly endorsed, including eating a healthy diet (Median 37%, range 9–89%, n = 10453) [ 26 , 30 , 31 , 34 , 49 , 55 , 56 ], not smoking (Median 21%, range 3–39%, n = 3016) [ 34 , 49 ], social activity (Median 13%, range 12–43%, n = 3481) [ 22 , 49 , 55 ], and moderate alcohol consumption (Median 5%, n = 1003) [ 49 ]. Three per cent of participants in Luck et al [ 39 ] agreed that ‘scientific research’ could reduce the risk for dementia but did not specify to what research this referred ( n = 1002).…”

Social death and the moral identity of the fourth age

“…Much of that fear settles on the loss of agency that is associated with frailty, particularly mental frailty and the perceived abjection of an undignified journey toward non-existence. The presence and salience of such a social imaginary, we feel, helps explain the widespread fear of late life dementia reported among those reaching or already entering later life (Breining et al, 2014;Cantegreil-Kallen and Pin, 2012). Part of that fear can be represented as a fear of undergoing a premature social deathof becoming irrevocably lost to one's self as a concerned agent involved with the business of living.…”