The Willingness to Help People With Dementia Symptoms Among Four Occupation Practitioners in Macao

Abstract

Background Dementia-friendly community has been promoted in Macao since 2016. There is no study investigating the understanding of nor attitudes towards dementia among public contact staff in Macao. This study aimed to (i) understand the level of knowledge of dementia, (ii) examine the attitudes towards people living with dementia, and (iii) explore the associated factors of the willingness to help people with dementia symptoms among police officers, bank officers, bus drivers, and building superintendents. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and May 2019 using a structured questionnaire. Results A total of 351 valid questionnaires were received. Building superintendents had more knowledge while police officers and bank officers had more positive attitudes. All practitioners were more willing to help people with dementia symptoms when they were on official duty. Participants who had more knowledge about dementia were associated with a higher willingness to help people with dementia symptoms.

2024 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures

“…For instance, dementia gatekeeper programs have had some success identifying and supporting people with dementia by training postal workers, bank tellers, ministers and other personnel to identify signs of cognitive impairment in older adults and provide appropriate direction to services 803 . Additional workforces that play a role in creating dementia‐friendly environments include librarians who provide supportive services and programming; 804 architects and others who design floor plans, landscapes, soundscapes and sonic environments; 798,805 adult protective service workers who handle elder abuse cases; 806,807 police officers and law enforcement agencies that interact with the public; 808,809 and hairdressers, 810 bus drivers and building superintendents among others 811 …”

“…Many people living with dementia move to a nursing home or other group home setting because there are inadequate community‐based services and supports in their local area 846 . To create dementia‐friendly communities that support people to age in place, it will be important to also bolster the dementia knowledge and skills of the broader community‐based workforce — such as postal workers, bank tellers, ministers, church leaders, librarians, police officers, building superintendents, bus drivers and hair dressers 482,623,803,804,808–811 . For instance, financial advisors are on the frontline with their clients.…”

“…803 Additional workforces that play a role in creating dementia‐friendly environments include librarians who provide supportive services and programming; 804 architects and others who design floor plans, landscapes, soundscapes and sonic environments; 798 , 805 adult protective service workers who handle elder abuse cases; 806 , 807 police officers and law enforcement agencies that interact with the public; 808 , 809 and hairdressers, 810 bus drivers and building superintendents among others. 811 …”

“…846 To create dementia‐friendly communities that support people to age in place, it will be important to also bolster the dementia knowledge and skills of the broader community‐based workforce — such as postal workers, bank tellers, ministers, church leaders, librarians, police officers, building superintendents, bus drivers and hair dressers. 482 , 623 , 803 , 804 , 808 , 809 , 810 , 811 For instance, financial advisors are on the frontline with their clients. Research conducted by Bank of America found that Alzheimer's dementia was the most feared condition in later life among the bank's clients across all ages and genders.…”