Assessing accuracy of knowledge of cognitive effects of normal ageing and mild stage of Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to develop and pilot the Alzheimer's Disease and Ageing Perception Scale (ADAPS), examine theory-consistent differences and convergent validity, and identify misconceptions of the cognitive effects of ageing and mild Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHOD

After piloting a large pool of items with a panel of ageing and dementia experts (n = 6), an item analysis yielded a 25-item version of the ADAPS (α = .70), comprising a Normal Ageing subscale (α = .68) and Mild AD subscale (α = .74). Participants from the general community (n = 251) and aged care professionals (n = 59) completed the ADAPS, Knowledge of Memory Ageing Questionnaire (KMAQ), and the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS).

RESULTS

Compared to matched controls, aged care professionals demonstrated greater accuracy of knowledge on the Mild AD subscale (p < .05), but not the Normal Ageing subscale (p > .05) of the ADAPS. The pattern of significant correlations between the ADAPS, KMAQ, and ADKS supported the convergent validity of the ADAPS. The most common misconceptions on the ADAPS indicated a tendency for participants to overgeneralise the cognitive effects of normal ageing.

CONCLUSION

This preliminary study introduces a new tool for assessing accuracy of knowledge of cognitive effects associated with normal ageing and mild AD, and may assist in identifying misconceptions of the ageing process.