Perla Werner’s research while affiliated with University of Haifa and other places

Background: Dementia worry is a widespread phenomenon and the most common emotional reaction elicited by the threat of developing dementia in the future. The cultural factors of dementia worry have not been examined widely, although dementia can be perceived differently between cultures and lead to varying levels of dementia worry. The purpose of this study was to examine the level of dementia worry and factors associated with it cross-nationally in Israel and Australia. Methods: A cross-sectional, online survey was conducted with two age-matched adult samples (447 participants in Israel and 290 in Australia). The primary outcome measure was the 12-item Dementia Worry Scale. Results: Israeli participants (mean age = 42.5 years; 50.1% female) reported statistically significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of concern about developing dementia in comparison to Australian participants (mean age = 43.7 years; 49.8% female). Increased ageism and increased perceptions about the likelihood of developing dementia were the most important factors associated with increased worry. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that country may not be the best criterion to assess cultural differences and should be accompanied by the participants' assessment of their cultural tendencies. Our study also stresses the importance of conceptualizing and assessing affective and cognitive aspects of dementia worry, as people from different cultures might perceive dementia worry cognitively differently but affectively similar and vice-versa.

Background Despite the increasing amount of research on dementia stigma, there is a dearth of cross-national studies conducted on this subject. This is surprising since the experience of stigma is closely associated to socio-cultural aspects. Objective The present study intended to expand knowledge about the impact of culture on dementia stigma by comparing the level and correlates of stigmatic beliefs about dementia among the general public in Israel and Australia. Methods A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted with two age-matched samples: 447 adults in Israel and 290 adults in Australia. Results Overall, dementia stigma was moderate in both countries. However, the level of dementia stigma was significantly higher in Australia than in Israel. Lower levels of subjective knowledge and higher levels of ageism were associated with increased levels of stigmatic beliefs in both countries. Gender was a significant correlate of dementia stigma, with male participants reporting higher levels of public stigma than women, although this gender difference was mainly driven by the Australian sample. Conclusion Our findings indicate that providing knowledge and decreasing ageist attitudes should be key considerations in dementia awareness and stigma reduction campaigns despite the cultural context. In addition, developing gender-specific messages should be considered as a way of improving the effects of such campaigns.

Objective To examine the efficacy of the Dementia Stigma Reduction (DESeRvE) programme, aimed at reducing the general public dementia-related stigma utilising ‘education’ and ‘contact’ approaches. Methods A total of 1024 Australians aged between 40 and 87 years (M = 60.8, SD = 10.1) participated in a factorial randomised controlled trial. This trial examined four conditions: online education programme (ED), contact through simulated contact with people with dementia and carers (CT), education and contact (ED+CT) and active control. Cognitive, emotional and behavioural aspects of dementia-related stigma were measured with a modified Attribution Questionnaire, and dementia knowledge was measured with the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale at the baseline, immediately and 12 weeks after the completion of the intervention. Results All four groups improved (reduction in scores) significantly from baseline to week 12 in dementia-related stigma, and the effects were stronger for those with higher baseline stigma scores. Intervention groups also improved significantly from baseline in dementia knowledge. Especially, the ED (β = .85, SE = .07; p < .001) and ED+CT (β = .78, SE = .08; p < .001) groups at immediate follow-up and CT (β = .21, SE = .09; p < .05) and ED+CT (β = .32, SE = .09; p < .001) at 12-week follow-up showed significant effects. Conclusions Findings suggest that DESeRvE can be a valuable tool to enhance public’s dementia knowledge and reduce dementia-related stigma, especially for those with higher levels of stigma. Reduction in stigma, however, may take a longer time to achieve, whereas improvement in dementia knowledge is instant.

Purpose The current study aimed 1) to assess laypersons’ priority-setting preferences for allocating ventilators to COVID-19 patients with and without AD while differentiating between a young and an old person with the disease, and 2) to examine the factors associated with these preferences. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among a sample of 309 Israeli Jewish persons aged 40 and above. Results Overall, almost three quarters (71%) of the participants chose the 80-year-old patient with a diagnosis of AD to be the last to be provided with a ventilator. The preferences of the remaining quarter were divided between the 80-year-old person who was cognitively intact and the 55-year-old person with AD. Education and subjective knowledge about AD were significantly associated with participants’ preferences. Conclusion Our results suggest that cognitive status might not be a strong discriminating factor for laypersons’ preferences for allocating ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Family caregivers of people with dementia often must make crucial medical decisions for them that may increase the burden of care experienced. Although undertaking Advance Care Planning (ACP) might reduce their decision-making burden, completion rates remain very low. The present study aimed to explore the common beliefs of family caregivers of people with dementia about undertaking ACP for themselves. A qualitative study was conducted, using a semi-structured questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 20 family caregivers of people with dementia in Israel. The behavioral beliefs expressed by the participants referred to the dual benefits of ACP, for the person who will not be able to make medical decisions at the end of life and for themselves. Participants mentioned that family members and friends were the main persons with whom they would consult in making decisions regarding ACP. Personal characteristics and instrumental factors were mentioned as enablers and barriers to undertaking ACP. Findings from the study provide an important basis for expanding research and for developing interventions that can encourage undertaking ACP.

Background Dementia is considered to be a highly stigmatized condition leading to significant negative effects on the health and well-being of people with dementia and people supporting someone living with dementia. Even though there has been an increasing amount of research on dementia-related stigma over the past two decades, research on effective, evidence-based approaches to reduce dementia-related public stigma is still lacking. Methods A 2 × 2 factorial randomized controlled trial (RCT) is being conducted to evaluate the feasibility and short-term efficacy of an online intervention program. It compares different approaches to reduce dementia-related public stigma: 1) Education (ED) that is designed to provide written information on dementia; 2) Contact (CT) that is designed to offer indirect virtual contact with people with dementia and/or people supporting someone with dementia; 3) Education plus contact (ED + CT) that is designed to provide both written information on dementia and indirect virtual contact with people with dementia and/or people supporting someone living with dementia; and 4) an active control condition receiving written information on general health. We aim to recruit 500 lay persons aged 40 and over, to complete a questionnaire measuring the level of dementia-related public stigma, assessed with a modified Attribution Questionnaire and dementia knowledge, assessed with the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale version 2 at baseline and follow-up assessments (immediately after the intervention and 12 weeks post-intervention). Discussion Results from this trial will provide evidence on the most effective approach in reducing dementia-related public stigma. The results are also likely to form an evidence base for the feasibility of dementia-related public stigma campaigns to educate the general public.