ADKS item | Domain | Answer | White (n = 125; 67.2%) | Black (n = 31; 16.7%) | Asian (n = 30; 16.1%) | Total (n = 186; 100%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. People with Alzheimer’s disease are particularly prone to depression. | Life Impact | True | 49 (39.2%) | 18 (58.1%) | 14 (46.7%) | 81 (43.5%) |
2. It has been scientifically proven that mental exercise can prevent a person from getting Alzheimer’s disease. | Risk Factors | False | 25 (20.0%) | 4 (12.9%) | 3 (10.0%) | 32 (17.2%) |
3. After symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease appear, the average life expectancy is 6 to 12 years. | Course of the Disease | True | 43 (34.4%) | 8 (25.8%) | 6 (20.0%) | 57 (30.6%) |
4. When a person with Alzheimer’s disease becomes agitated, a medical examination might reveal other health problems that caused the agitation. | Assessment and Diagnosis | True | 55 (44.0%) | 18 (58.1%) | 10 (33.3%) | 83 (44.6%) |
5. People with Alzheimer’s disease do best with simple, instructions giving one step at a time. | Caregiving | True | 99 (79.2%) | 23 (74.2%) | 25 (83.3%) | 147 (79.0%) |
6. When people with Alzheimer’s disease begin to have difficulty taking care of themselves, caregivers should take over right away. | Caregiving | False | 35 (28.0%) | 7 (22.6%) | 9 (30.0%) | 51 (27.4%) |
7. If a person with Alzheimer’s disease becomes alert and agitated at night, a good strategy is to try to make sure that the person gets plenty of physical activity during the day. | Caregiving | True | 54 (43.2%) | 12 (38.7%) | 14 (46.7%) | 80 (43.0%) |
8. In rare cases, people have recovered from Alzheimer’s disease. | Course of the Disease | False | 55 (44.0%) | 10 (32.3%) | 10 (33.3%) | 75 (40.3%) |
9. People whose Alzheimer’s disease is not yet severe can benefit from psychotherapy for depression and anxiety. | Treatment and Management | True | 62 (49.6%) | 19 (61.3%) | 15 (50.0%) | 96 (51.6%) |
10. If trouble with memory and confused thinking appears suddenly, it is likely due to Alzheimer’s disease. | Assessment and Diagnosis | False | 61 (48.8%) | 21 (67.7%) | 10 (33.3%) | 92 (49.5%) |
11. Most people with Alzheimer’s disease live in nursing homes. | Life Impact | False | 51 (40.8%) | 10 (32.3%) | 13 (43.3%) | 74 (39.8%) |
12. Poor nutrition can make the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease worse. | Treatment and Management | True | 57 (45.6%) | 16 (51.6%) | 8 (26.7%) | 81 (43.5%) |
13. People in their 30s can have Alzheimer’s disease. | Risk Factors | True | 62 (49.6%) | 16 (51.6%) | 15 (50.0%) | 93 (50.0%) |
14. A person with Alzheimer’s disease becomes increasingly likely to fall down as the disease gets worse. | Course of the Disease | True | 67 (53.6%) | 15 (48.4%) | 13 (43.3%) | 95 (51.1%) |
15. When people with Alzheimer’s disease repeat the same question or story several times, it is helpful to remind them that they are repeating themselves. | Caregiving | False | 67 (53.6%) | 15 (48.4%) | 9 (30.0%) | 91 (48.9%) |
16. Once people have Alzheimer’s disease, they are no longer capable of making informed decisions about their own care. | Caregiving | False | 49 (39.2%) | 11 (35.5%) | 12 (40.0%) | 72 (38.7%) |
17. Eventually, a person with Alzheimer’s disease will need 24hour supervision | Course of the Disease | True | 83 (66.4%) | 15 (48.4%) | 18 (60.0%) | 116 (62.4%) |
18. Having high cholesterol may increase a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. | Risk Factors | True | 26 (20.8%) | 4 (12.9%) | 6 (20.0%) | 36 (19.4%) |
19. Tremor or shaking of the hands or arms is a common symptom in people with Alzheimer’s disease. | Symptoms | False | 46 (36.8%) | 6 (19.4%) | 6 (20.0%) | 58 (31.2%) |
20. Symptoms of severe depression can be mistaken for symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. | Assessment and Diagnosis | True | 49 (39.2%) | 11 (35.5%) | 7 (23.3%) | 67 (36.0%) |
21. Alzheimer’s disease is one type of dementia. | Assessment and Diagnosis | True | 86 (68.8%) | 23 (74.2%) | 22 (73.3%) | 131 (70.4%) |
22. Trouble handling money or paying bills is a common early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. | Symptoms | True | 52 (41.6%) | 11 (35.5%) | 9 (30.0%) | 72 (38.7%) |
23. One symptom that can occur with Alzheimer’s disease is believing that other people are stealing one’s things. | Symptoms | True | 71 (56.8%) | 17 (54.8%) | 10.(33.3%) | 98(52.7%) |
24. When a person has Alzheimer’s disease, using reminder notes is a crutch that can contribute to decline. | Treatment and Management | False | 43 (34.4%) | 10 (32.3%) | 7 (23.3%) | 60 (32.3%) |
25. Prescription drugs that prevent Alzheimer’s disease are available. | Risk Factors | False | 56 (44.8%) | 14 (45.2%) | 9 (30.0%) | 79 (42.5%) |
26. Having high blood pressure may increase a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. | Risk Factors | True | 22 (17.6%) | 4 (12.9%) | 10 (33.3%) | 36 (19.4%) |
27. Genes can only partially account for the development of Alzheimer’s disease. | Risk Factors | True | 84 (67.2%) | 20 (64.5%) | 14 (46.7%) | 118 (63.4%) |
28. It is safe for people with Alzheimer’s disease to drive, as long as they have a companion in the car at all times. | Life Impacts | False | 84 (67.2%) | 26 (83.9%) | 19 (63.3%) | 129 (69.4%) |
29. Alzheimer’s disease cannot be cured. | Treatment and Management | True | 80 (64.0%) | 16 (51.6%) | 19 (63.3%) | 115 (61.8%) |
30. Most people with Alzheimer’s disease remember recent events better than things that happened in the past. | Symptoms | False | 73 (58.4%) | 11 (36.7%) | 17 (56.7%) | 101 (54.6%) |
Total Mean ADKS Score | 14.0 (SD ± 5.6) | 13.3 (SD ± 4.7) | 12.0 (SD ± 5.6) | 13.5 (SD ± 5.5) |