alzheimer s isease and dementia awareness oll 2018 - aarp · cell phones. this report was prepared...

AARP RESEARCH AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2018 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Laura Mehegan

AARP Research

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

AND DEMENTIA

AWARENESS POLL 2018

June 2018

https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00232.001

AARP RESEARCH AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2018 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2

Table of ContentsObjective and Methodology 3

Key Findings 4

Seriousness of Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia 7

Percent Who Know Someone with Condition Causing Cognitive Decline 8

Terminology 9

Mental Illness and Dementia 10

Memory Loss 11

Evaluation of Cognitive Health 12

Diagnostics 13

Treatment 14

Acknowledgments 15

Contact 16


ObjectiveTo assess the public’s awareness of myths and facts related to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

MethodologyA telephone Omnibus survey was fielded May 8-12, 2018 among a nationally

representative sample of 1,004 Americans age 18+. Random digit dialing (RDD)

was used with 60 percent landline and 40 percent cell phones.

The data were weighted by age, gender, race, ethnicity, employment status and

income. All estimates are for the general US population age 18 and older unless

otherwise noted.

The margin of error for the national sample of adults age 18+ is +/- 3.1

percentage points. The margin of error among subgroups (e.g., age cohorts,

race/ethnicity) is higher.

Percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding.


Key FindingsNearly everyone recognizes the seriousness of Alzheimer’s disease and most know

someone who has had Alzheimer’s disease or dementia or another disease causing

cognitive decline; however, awareness of some key characteristics of these conditions is

sometimes low.

4

More than nine in 10 (92%) adults age 18 and older

believe Alzheimer’s disease/dementia is a serious

problem in our country today.

Two-thirds (68%) of adults know someone who has

had dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or another condition

causing cognitive decline. The percentage is

significantly higher for adults age 65 or older with

nearly eight in 10 (79%) saying they know

someone.

Scope and relatability of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia:


Key Findings (Cont.)

Perceptions and misperceptions about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia:

5

Six in 10 (61%) adults age 18 and older know that

“dementia” and “Alzheimer’s disease” are not

interchangeable terms for the same brain disease.

Dementia is not a mental illness but a majority

(59%) think it is.

While it is normal for aging adults to forget a name

or date, this type of information is typically recalled later;

however, it is not normal to forget where you live, for

example. Three quarters (75%) of adults believe that

memory loss is a normal and natural part of aging.


Key Findings (Cont.)

Physician/patient relationship and diagnostics/treatment:

6

Relatively few (36%) adults age 18 and older have been asked

questions about their cognition during a check-up with their

doctor. A higher percentage (44%) of adults age 65 or older have been

asked.

Two-thirds (67%) of adults incorrectly believe Alzheimer’s

disease can be diagnosed with a single test. In fact,

diagnosis is a multi-step process.

Nearly half (49%) of adults incorrectly believe that

treatments exist to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s

disease.


46% 46%

7%

1%

A very seriousproblem

A somewhatserious problem

Not too seriousof a problem

Not a problem atall

92%

Over nine in 10 (92%) adults age 18 and older believe that Alzheimer’s disease or

dementia is a serious problem in our country. Women, older adults, African American/Black

adults, and individuals who know someone with a condition that causes a cognitive decline are

significantly more likely to say it is a “very serious” problem.

How serious of a problem would you say Alzheimer’s

disease or dementia is in our country today?

• Women vs. men (49% vs. 40%)

• Adults age 65+ vs. adults age

18-44 (55% vs. 32%)

• African Americans/Blacks vs.

Whites and Hispanics/Latinos

(62% vs. 45% vs. 37%)

• Those who know someone

with a condition causing

cognitive decline vs. those

who do not (51% vs. 36%)

Those who are more likely to see Alzheimer’s

disease/dementia as a “very serious” problem:

Detailed Findings


68%65%

72%

55%

69% 69%

75%79%

56%

77% 77% 78%

55%

46%

Overall M F 18-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ HS orless

Somecoll

Collegedegree+

White AA/B H/L

Two-thirds (68%) of adults age 18 and older personally know someone who has

experienced cognitive decline. Significantly fewer men, young adults, adults with a high school

education or lower, and non-whites know someone personally.

Percent who personally know someone who has had Alzheimer’s disease, dementia,

or another condition causing cognitive decline by demographic characteristic

Detailed Findings (Cont.)


“Dementia” and “Alzheimer’s disease” are not interchangeable terms and most (61%)

adults know this. Alzheimer’s disease is only one type of dementia accounting for 60 to 80 percent of

dementia cases.*

Demographic

characteristic

% who answered

correctly

Age 18-34

Age 35-44

Age 45-54

Age 55-64

Age 65+

67%

66%

58%

57%

55%

≤ High school

Some college

≥4-year degree

44%

71%

75%

Non-Hisp white

Non-Hisp AA/B

Hispanic/Latino

71%

46%

41%

True or False: “Dementia” and “Alzheimer’s

disease” are interchangeable terms for the

same brain disease…

*Source: www.alz.org7%

61%

32% True

False

Don’t know

Co

rrec

t an

swer



Demographic

characteristic

% who answered

correctly

Male

Female

29%

41%

Age 18-34

Age 35-44

Age 45-54

Age 55-64

Age 65+

25%

31%

43%

41%

41%

≤ High school

Some college

≥4-year degree

22%

41%

46%

Non-Hisp white

Non-Hisp AA/B

Hispanic/Latino

42%

24%

23%

10

Dementia is not a mental illness but nearly six in 10 (59%) adults think it is.* Differences in

awareness were noted by gender, age, level of education, and race/ethnicity.

*Source: www.alz.org

True or False: Dementia is a

mental illness…

6%

35%

59% True

False

Don’t know

Co

rrec

t an

swer



While it is normal for aging adults to forget a name or date, this type of information is

typically recalled later; however, it is not normal to forget where you live, for example. Three quarters (75%) of adults believe that memory loss is a normal and natural part of aging.*


True or False: Memory loss is a natural

and normal part of aging…

2%23%

75% True

False

Don’t know

Co

rrec

t an

swer



Just over one-third (36%) of adults age 18 and older have ever been asked about their

cognition during their routine check-up. Unsurprisingly, adults age 65 or older are much more

likely to have been asked these questions (44% vs. 35%) but the percentage is still less than half.

36%

63%

Yes No

Have you ever been asked questions about your cognitive health,

such as memory, problem solving, or attention during a routine

physical or annual examination with your health care provider?

Percent who have been asked

about their cognitive health by age:

Age 18-34: 35%

Age 35-44: 35%

Age 45-54: 32%

Age 55-64: 36%

Age 65+: 44%



There is no single test available to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease but two-thirds (67%) of

adults believe there is. Diagnosis is a multi-step process where all other possible explanations for the

symptoms are ruled out.*

Demographic characteristic % who answered correctly

Age 18-34

Age 35-44

Age 45-54

Age 55-64

Age 65+

19%

22%

27%

26%

27%

≤ High school

Some college

≥4-year degree

19%

25%

29%

Non-Hisp white

Non-Hisp AA/B

Hispanic/Latino

28%

17%

15%

True or False: There is a test

available to diagnose

Alzheimer’s disease…


Correct

answer

9%

24%

67% True

False

Don’t know

Co

rrec

t an

swer



There are no treatments available to slow or stop Alzheimer’s disease yet nearly half

(49%) think it can be treated. Current treatments slow the worsening of symptoms for only six to 12-

months in only half the people who take the medications.*

True or False: There are treatments available to

stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease…


9%

42%

49% True

False

Don’t know

Co

rrec

t an

swer



AARP RESEARCHAARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2018 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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About AARPAARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to

choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia,

Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to

families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the

marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the

AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications,

AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on

social media.

The views expressed herein are for information, debate, and discussion, and do not necessarily represent official policies

of AARP.

AcknowledgmentsSSRS conducted this telephone Omnibus for AARP using random digit dialing (RDD) with 60 percent landline 40 percent

cell phones. This report was prepared by Laura Mehegan in AARP Research. For additional information about the survey,

contact Laura Mehegan at [email protected]. Media inquiries should be directed to Eden Godbee at

[email protected].

mailto:[email protected]


This research was designed and executed by AARP Research

Laura Mehegan

AARP ResearchJune 2018

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