Public education about normal forgetfulness and dementia: importance and effects

C.J.A.M. Cornmissaris; F.R.J. Verhey; R.W.H.M. Ponds; J. Jolles; G.J. Kok

doi:10.1016/0738-3991(94)90004-3

Public education about normal forgetfulness and dementia: importance and effects

C.J.A.M. Cornmissaris^*, F.R.J. Verhey, R.W.H.M. Ponds, J. Jolles, G.J. Kok

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

In the Netherlands considerable attention has been given to dementia, but hardly any is paid to normal forgetfulness.
Two information meetings about the differences between normal forgetfulness and dementia were organized in order
to meet current information needs. Evaluation of those meetings gave more insight into the characteristics of people
who are worried about their diminishing memory and provided the opportunity of measuring changes in knowledge
and anxiety. Almost 50% of the 450 participants indicated that they were worried about their memory; 66% of these
people reported being more or less reassured afterwards. Although the level of knowledge increased, no correlation
was found between increased knowledge and decreased anxiety. Because of people’s anxiety about possible dementia,
it is important to provide the general public with more information about this subject. More research, with a control
group, is necessary to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of health education in this area.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1204-1210
Number of pages	7
Journal	Patient Education and Counseling
Volume	24
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/0738-3991(94)90004-3
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 1994

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10.1016/0738-3991(94)90004-3

Cite this

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title = "Public education about normal forgetfulness and dementia: importance and effects",

abstract = "In the Netherlands considerable attention has been given to dementia, but hardly any is paid to normal forgetfulness.Two information meetings about the differences between normal forgetfulness and dementia were organized in orderto meet current information needs. Evaluation of those meetings gave more insight into the characteristics of peoplewho are worried about their diminishing memory and provided the opportunity of measuring changes in knowledgeand anxiety. Almost 50% of the 450 participants indicated that they were worried about their memory; 66% of thesepeople reported being more or less reassured afterwards. Although the level of knowledge increased, no correlationwas found between increased knowledge and decreased anxiety. Because of people{\textquoteright}s anxiety about possible dementia,it is important to provide the general public with more information about this subject. More research, with a controlgroup, is necessary to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of health education in this area.",

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T1 - Public education about normal forgetfulness and dementia

T2 - importance and effects

AU - Cornmissaris, C.J.A.M.

AU - Verhey, F.R.J.

AU - Ponds, R.W.H.M.

AU - Jolles, J.

AU - Kok, G.J.

PY - 1994/1/1

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N2 - In the Netherlands considerable attention has been given to dementia, but hardly any is paid to normal forgetfulness.Two information meetings about the differences between normal forgetfulness and dementia were organized in orderto meet current information needs. Evaluation of those meetings gave more insight into the characteristics of peoplewho are worried about their diminishing memory and provided the opportunity of measuring changes in knowledgeand anxiety. Almost 50% of the 450 participants indicated that they were worried about their memory; 66% of thesepeople reported being more or less reassured afterwards. Although the level of knowledge increased, no correlationwas found between increased knowledge and decreased anxiety. Because of people’s anxiety about possible dementia,it is important to provide the general public with more information about this subject. More research, with a controlgroup, is necessary to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of health education in this area.

AB - In the Netherlands considerable attention has been given to dementia, but hardly any is paid to normal forgetfulness.Two information meetings about the differences between normal forgetfulness and dementia were organized in orderto meet current information needs. Evaluation of those meetings gave more insight into the characteristics of peoplewho are worried about their diminishing memory and provided the opportunity of measuring changes in knowledgeand anxiety. Almost 50% of the 450 participants indicated that they were worried about their memory; 66% of thesepeople reported being more or less reassured afterwards. Although the level of knowledge increased, no correlationwas found between increased knowledge and decreased anxiety. Because of people’s anxiety about possible dementia,it is important to provide the general public with more information about this subject. More research, with a controlgroup, is necessary to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of health education in this area.

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DO - 10.1016/0738-3991(94)90004-3

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