What does the public really know about dementia? A community-based cross-sectional survey in Turkiye.

Despite the increasing burden of dementia, there has been no evaluation of the level of dementia knowledge among the general public in Turkiye. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the public's knowledge regarding dementia and the factors predicting this knowledge. This is a community-based cross-sectional study. A survey was conducted with 1106 participants between April and August 2023. The research tools were demographic characteristics form, a Turkish version of the dementia knowledge assessment scale (DKAS-T), and a form focusing on sociodemographic information and questions related to the degree of dementia knowledge. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression. The mean score on the DKAS-T was 12.32 ± 6.05 (min: 0 points, max: 33 points) out of 34. The sample recorded an incorrect response for less than half of the items in the dementia knowledge scale. Adjusted R2 was used as explanatory power. Moreover, the results of the multiple regression analysis identified various factors that significantly predicted dementia knowledge scores: age, prior education about dementia, experience of caring for a PwD, interaction with a PwD, and self-reported risk of being diagnosed with dementia in the future. These variables accounted for 18.1% of the total variance of dementia knowledge. Dementia is not well known in the public. The finding underscores the need for targeted educational initiatives to enhance dementia knowledge in the Turkish population. Interventions should focus on addressing specific areas of deficiency identified in the DKAS-T.

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Australian National University-Alzheimer's Disease Risk Index (ANU-ADRI).

INTRODUCTION: There is still a requirement for concise, practical scales that can be readily incorporated into everyday schedules and predict the likelihood of dementia onset in individuals without dementia. This study aimed to assess the reliability of the ANU-ADRI (Australian National University Alzheimer's Disease Risk Index)-Short Form in Turkish geriatric patients. METHODS: This methodological study involved 339 elderly patients attending the geriatric outpatient clinic for various reasons. The known-group validity and divergent validity were assessed. The ANU-ADRI was administered during the baseline test and again within one week for retest purposes. Alongside the ANU-ADRI, all participants underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment, including Activities of Daily Living (ADL), mobility assessment (Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) and Timed Up and Go Test), nutritional assessment (Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)), and global cognition evaluation (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)). RESULTS: The scale demonstrated satisfactory linguistic validity. A correlation was observed between the mean scores of the ANU-ADRI test and retest (r = 0.997, p < 0.001). Additionally, there existed a moderate negative linear association between the ANU-ADRI and MMSE scores (r = -0.310, p < 0.001), POMA (r = -0.406, p < 0.001), Basic ADL (r = -0.359, p < 0.001), and Instrumental ADL (r = -0.294, p < 0.001). Moreover, a moderate positive linear association was found between the ANU-ADRI and the Timed Up and Go Test duration (r = 0.538, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The ANU-ADRI-Short Form was proved as a valuable tool for clinical practice, facilitating the assessment of Alzheimer's disease risk within the Turkish geriatric population.

Psychological well-being for cognitively impaired people scale: Assessing reliability and validity of Turkish version.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Psychological Well-Being of Cognitively Impaired People (PWB-CIP) scale in people with dementia in nursing homes. METHOD: It was conducted with 70 people with dementia and 12 formal caregivers in two nursing homes. This study used translation and back translation for the scale's language equivalence and expert opinion for content validity. The reliability and validity were tested by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, test-retest correlation analyses, and internal consistency. RESULTS: The PWB-CIP was clustered under two factors. Cronbach's alpha scores for positive affect (α = 0.624), and negative affect (α = 0.822) factors were satisfactory. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed an acceptable level of fit (GFI = 0.905, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.067). The test, retests were positively correlated (r: 0.756, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The 9-item PWB-CIP is a valid and reliable instrument for the examined Turkish sample. The PWB-CIP demonstrated robust psychometric properties in the context of nursing homes, indicating its suitability for assessing the well-being of individuals with dementia. NURSING IMPLICATIONS: The validated PWB-CIP can serve as a valuable tool for nurses and caregivers in evaluating the psychological well-being of cognitively impaired individuals in nursing home settings, enabling targeted interventions to enhance their overall quality of life.

Dementia Risk Awareness, Health Behaviors and Motivation for Dementia Prevention in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Türkiye.

This study aimed to investigate factors influencing motivation for dementia preventive behaviors in a population aged 40 and over. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study between December 2022 and May 2023, involving 483 participants in an online survey. We collected data on dementia risk awareness, healthy lifestyle choices, and motivation for dementia risk reduction. The majority of respondents, comprising 41.6%, demonstrated a moderate level of risk awareness, with 50.5% believing that prevention is beyond anyone's control. Motivations for lifestyle change were significantly higher in women (p < .001) and `participants with university degree education (p < .05). Regression analysis identified gender (female), education level (higher education), and dementia risk awareness, emerged as significant predictors of motivation to change lifestyle (beta: .138, beta: .136, beta: .114, p < .001, respectively). This study underscores the importance of risk awareness in motivating dementia prevention, suggesting avenues for future research to explore specific determinants of motivation to reduce dementia risks.

Gerontological nursing competencies: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Despite decades of advocates striving to enhance gerontological content in baccalaureate nursing programs, nurses are still graduating with inadequate knowledge and skills to work with older adults. Scholars suggest that incorporating entry-to-practice gerontological competencies could be one way to improve graduating nurses' knowledge about older adults. AIM: To examine the state of gerontological entry to practice competencies and standards for baccalaureate-prepared nurses around the world. DESIGN: We conducted a scoping review of the literature using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework and followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines to report findings. METHODS: We performed searches from inception to June 20th 2022 in Medline and EMBASE via OVID, CINAHL via EBSCOhost, Scopus, and Cochrane Library via Wiley. We conducted a search on GOOGLE for grey literature. We included literature that examined 1) baccalaureate nursing programs, 2) gerontological competencies/standards, and 3) older people/adults. RESULTS: We found 8 literature sources, 4 of which were academic papers and 4 documents describing gerontological entry-to-practice standards and competencies from national nursing associations. Gerontological competencies highlight providing person-centered care to older people and their families across many care contexts. This care includes relational and cultural competence, exhibiting professional values and screening for potential elder abuse. Scholars in two papers relayed their experiences incorporating gerontological competencies into their curricula and two studied student nurses' gerontological competency. CONCLUSIONS: There is interest and some progress in developing and incorporating gerontological competencies in various countries but not enough. A coordinated approach to sharing information and expertise among nations is needed to develop international gerontological competencies to facilitate improved nursing care with older adults.

Perceptions and experiences of person-centered care among nurses and nurse aides in long term residential care facilities: A systematic review of qualitative studies.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to report the findings of meta-synthesis of the experiences and perceptions of person-centered care among nurses and nurse aides in long term care facilities to help managers and policy makers in providing and improving health services. METHODS: This is a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies guided by seven steps process of meta-ethnography developed by Noblit and Hare. Systematic literature searching was conducted in CINAHL, MEDLINE, Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane library and ProQuest dissertations databases. We assessed quality of the studies using Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool. RESULTS: Eleven studies and one dissertation were identified as relevant for the review. The analysis of this systematic review was resulted in three categories: Recognizing resident's emotional needs and preferences under the task-based workload; holistic understanding to build relationship and participation; teamwork, being recognized and ongoing training to overcome the challenges. CONCLUSION: The concept of PCC in direct care level is perceived well with majority of the study participants but the reality between perceived and practicing PCC is different which indicates mostly lack of organizational rearrangements and support.

Distributive Shock in the Emergency Department: Sepsis, Anaphylaxis, or Capillary Leak Syndrome?

BACKGROUND: Distributive shock is a hyperdynamic process resulting from excessive vasodilatation. Impaired blood flow causes inadequate tissue perfusion, which can lead to end-organ damage. Although the most common etiology is septic shock, anaphylactic and other etiologies should be considered. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 30-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with nonspecific symptoms and hypotension after a viral upper respiratory infection. Her physical examination revealed mild edema and rebound tenderness in the right upper and bilateral lower quadrants. She also presented with hypotension concomitant with hypoperfusion symptoms, which were manifested by the loss of consciousness in the hour after her presentation. Neither etiologic agent nor drug use history was provided at the presentation; these may have caused anaphylaxis; however, she later reported that she took a propolis extract 1 day earlier. The hypotensive state was refractory to large amount of crystalloid infusion and a series of examinations were performed to determine the shock etiology. Computed tomography images showed pneumonic infiltrates in the lower zone of the right lung, an enlarged liver, a thickened gallbladder wall, and an extensive amount of free fluid in the perihepatic and retroperitoneal areas. All radiologic changes were thought to be due to a secondary condition that triggers them, none were considered as septic focus. Capillary leak syndrome was considered in differential diagnosis and 3 days after her presentation, her hypotension improved and she was discharged in a healthy state. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Capillary leak syndrome is a variant of distributive shock. After assessing other etiologies for this condition, emergency physicians should focus on a triggering event that may have caused hypoalbuminemia and a fluid shift.