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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
AARP RESEARCH AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2018 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
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.
AARP RESEARCH AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2018 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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:
AARP RESEARCH AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2018 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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.
AARP RESEARCH AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2018 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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.
AARP RESEARCH AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2018 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 7
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
AARP RESEARCH AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2018 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 8
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.)
AARP RESEARCH AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2018 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 9
“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
Detailed Findings (Cont.)
AARP RESEARCH AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2018 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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
Detailed Findings (Cont.)
AARP RESEARCH AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2018 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 11
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.*
*Source: www.alz.org
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
Detailed Findings (Cont.)
AARP RESEARCH AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2018 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 12
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%
Detailed Findings (Cont.)
AARP RESEARCH AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2018 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 13
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…
*Source: www.alz.org
Correct
answer
9%
24%
67% True
False
Don’t know
Co
rrec
t an
swer
Detailed Findings (Cont.)
AARP RESEARCH AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2018 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 14
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…
*Source: www.alz.org
9%
42%
49% True
False
Don’t know
Co
rrec
t an
swer
*Source: www.alz.org
Detailed Findings (Cont.)
AARP RESEARCHAARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2018 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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15
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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 lmehegan@aarp.org. Media inquiries should be directed to Eden Godbee at
egodbee@aarp.org.
AARP RESEARCH AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2018 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 17
This research was designed and executed by AARP Research
Laura Mehegan
AARP ResearchJune 2018
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