2019 Volume 8 Issue 2 Pages 89-95
Purpose: This study aimed to measure community awareness regarding the need to support people with cognitive impairment.
Methods: We recruited 225 residents (age: >60 years) from a metropolitan city area. Each participant completed an anonymous self-report questionnaire and returned it to a collection box in a community center. The questionnaire involved questions regarding participants’ awareness regarding the need to support people with cognitive impairment, their attitude toward dementia, and community consciousness in their own community. Descriptive analysis, χ2 test, Fisher’s exact test, and t-test were used to analyze responses.
Results: We received valid responses from 177 participants. Among these, 130 considered the possibility of offering support to people with cognitive impairment. Of these 130 participants who considered offering support, 102 were willing to monitor, 87 were willing to serve as a conversational partner, and 14 were willing to help with the housework of people with cognitive impairment. The possibility of offering support was associated with a positive attitude toward people with dementia, community consciousness about positivity, enrichment from cooperation, and recognition of an equal relationship with the community administration.
Conclusion: Residents can support people with cognitive impairment in several ways, such as by monitoring them or serving as a conversational partner. To promote the support of people with cognitive impairment, residents need to have community consciousness regarding community development and a positive attitude toward people with dementia.
