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Modest Insight into the Public Level of Knowledge of Dementia-Friendly City in Slovenia



Author(s)

Zlata Felc^1,2, Mojca Stopar^1,3 and Brina Felc^1,2,4

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DOI:10.17265/2328-7136/2018.03.011

1. Association of the Western Styrian Region for the Help at Dementia »Forget me not” Šentjur, Šentjur 3230, Slovenia
2. College of Nursing in Celje, Celje 3000, Slovenia
3. The Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, General Hospital in Celje, Celje 3000, Slovenia
4. The Department of Family Law Division, District Court in Celje, Celje 3000, Slovenia

The aim of study was to evaluate knowledge of DFC (dementia-friendly city) in Slovenian population and correlate these findings regarding on status of informal carers of PWD (people with dementia) or noncarers. Questionnaire with 5 demographic and 6 dementia knowledge items, and one DFC knowledge item was sent to first 100 email adult users from first author’s adressess list. During June and October 2013 we managed to obtain 57 filled-out by 17 informal carers (29.8%), and 40 noncarers (70.2%). Categorical data were compared by chi² analysis, and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Differences in responses between informal carers and noncarers are shown in order of significance: (a) in DFC all people know about dementia, understand PWD, and respond with affection and reassurance (64.7% vs. 22.5%; chi² 7.439; p < 0.01); and (b) PWD have opportunity to meet friends and socialize and to take part in singing, walking, and education in DFC (35.3% vs. 7.5%; chi² 4.932; p < 0.05). Efforts to improve public education and to raise awareness on dementia at local and national level should be expanded to boost people in early stages of dementia to be active citizens.

DFC, PWD, informal carers, noncarers, level of knowledge.