INTRODUCTION:

Alzheimer’s disease is defined as the degenerative disease of the brain resulting in progressive memory loss, impaired thinking, deterioration, and changes in personality and mood. It includes deterioration of language, comprehension, memory, and thinking and learning capability. The term Alzheimer was first coined by a German physician, Alios Alzheimer, in 1915. The WHO mentioned Alzheimer’s disease as the most common cause of dementia; however, not all dementia is a result of Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is becoming a growing burden and the leading cause of disability among older people, and there is no cure for it. It is set to be the biggest killer among the growing elderly population.¹

India had a lower population with Alzheimer's disease in previous years, i.e., 4% when compared to the Alzheimer's patients in the United States above the age group of 65 years. The size of India's elderly population aged 60 and over is expected to increase from 70 million in 2001–179 million in 2031, and further to 301 million in 2051. Today in India, 3,200,000 people are affected by Alzheimer's disease. In Kolkata, there are about 46,000 patients with Alzheimer's disease. In Delhi, 50,000 and in Bangalore, there are 30,000 elderly patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease.²

Alzheimer’s disease, also referred to simply as Alzheimer’s, is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and worsens over time. It is the cause of 60% to 70% of cases of dementia. The most common early symptoms are difficulty in remembering recent events. As the disease advances, symptoms can include problems with language, disorientation, mood swings, loss of motivation, not managing self-care, and behavioural issues. As a person’s condition declines, they often withdraw from family and society. Gradually, bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death.³

Alzheimer’s disease impacts the person who is diagnosed, but it also affects family members who are responsible for caring for their loved one. Eighty percent of Alzheimer’s care is provided by unpaid caregivers who are typically family members. Family caregivers invest much time and effort into their caring responsibilities. However, it seems that many informal caregivers may be undereducated about Alzheimer’s disease.⁴

Increases in life expectancy during the 21st century have produced an aged population of an unprecedented size and longevity. Women are three times more likely to be affected than men Current estimates reveals that there are about 18 million cases of dementia in the World and by 2025, there will be about 34 million suffering from dementia. The overall prevalence of dementia ranges from 5 percent to 7 percent. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common dementing disorder accounting for 80 percent of all cases of dementia.⁵

Family caregivers may have a general low level of knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease. They do not fully understand the common characteristics, progression, symptoms, causes, or available resources. When family caregivers have a higher level of knowledge they tend to exhibit less stress and burden. Therefore, it is important that they learn about the disease to improve their own quality of life. It is also crucial that caregivers have adequate knowledge about the disease so they are able to provide quality care to their loved one.⁶

Sullivan K (2014) conducted a study on providing education about Alzheimer's disease. Improving care givers knowledge of Alzheimer's disease has been associated with benefits for carer well-being. Continued aging of the population is expected to be accompanied by substantial increases in the number of people with dementia and in the number of care givers required to care for them. Adequate knowledge about dementia among family members is important to the quality of care delivered to this vulnerable population.⁷

The lack of knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease among families may be partially due to a lack of services that inform those in need of education. Many researchers have found that caregivers have a need for education on dementia as well as a need for support services and information on care. Researchers also suggest that there is a need for information about services and support groups for the person diagnosed with dementia in addition to the family.⁸

OBJECTIVES:

1. To assess the pre-test knowledge score of Alzheimer disease among the family member of elderly person.

2. To assess the post-test knowledge score of Alzheimer disease among the family member of elderly person.

3. To evaluate the structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding Alzheimer disease among the family member of elderly person.

4. To find out the association between the pre-test knowledge score and selected demographic variables

HYPOTHESIS:

Hypothesis was tested at p<0.05 level of significance.

H₁ There will be significant difference between mean pre-test and mean post-test knowledge score regarding Alzheimer’s disease among family member of elderly person.

H₂ There will be a significant association between pre-test levels of knowledge scores regarding Alzheimer’s disease among adults with selected demographic variables.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The present study aims to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding Alzheimer disease among the family member of elderly person in selected area at Udaipur city. A Quantitative research approach with Pre-experimental study design was adopted to achieve the objectives of the study. A sample of 60 family members of elderly people were selected for the study using convenient sampling technique. Tool consists of socio-demographic variables and Self structured knowledge questionnaire on Alzheimer disease was given to collect the data. Participants were assured that anonymity and confidentiality will be maintained and informed consent was obtained. Structured teaching programme was administered to family members of elderly people regarding Alzheimer disease and post-test data was collected after 7 days. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Table 1: Frequency and Percentage Distribution of Demographic Variables. N=60

S. No

Demographic Variables

frequency

percentage

Age in years

a. 25-30 years

b. 31-35 years

c. 36-40 years

d. Above 41 years

28.3

11.7

Gender

a. Male

b. Female

56.7

43.3

Educational status

a. Primary education

b. Secondary education

c. Graduation and above

33.3

31.7

Religion

a. Hindu

b. Muslim

Family income per month

a. 5000-10000

b. 10001-15000

c. 15000-20000

d. Above 20000

46.7

18.3

Type of family

a. Nuclear

b. Joint

53.3

46.7

Source of information

a. Friends/relatives

b. Newspaper/Magazine

c. Health personnel

d. Television/radio

21.7

28.3

36.7

13.3

Demographic data shows that according to age of family members, majority 33(55%) were in age group of 25-30 years, 17(28.3%) were in 31-35 years, 7(11.7%) were in 36-40 years and 3(5%) were in above 41 years. Regarding gender of family members, 34(56.7%) were male and 26(43.3%) were female. As per educational status of family members, 21(35%) were completed graduation and above, 20(33.3%) had up to primary education and 19(31.7%) had up to secondary education. With regard to religion of family members, 57(95%) belongs o hindu and 3(5) belongs to muslim. As per family income, 28(46.7%) had income of Rs 10001-15000, 12(20%) had income of Rs 15000-20000, 11(18.3%) had income of above Rs 20000 and 9(15%) had income of Rs 5000-10000 per month. Regarding type of family, 32(53.35) were living in nuclear family and 28(46.7%) were living in joint family. According to source of information, 22(36.7%) had information from health personnel, 17(28.3%) had information from, newspaper and magazines, 13(21.7%) had information from friends and relatives and 8(13.3%) had information from television and radio.

Table 2: Pre-test and post-test level of knowledge of family members of elderly people regarding Alzheimer’s disease N=60

Level of Knowledge	Pre-Test		Post-Test
Level of Knowledge	f	%	f	%
Inadequate knowledge	44	73.3	0	0
Moderate knowledge	11	18.3	21	35
Adequate knowledge	5	8.4	39	65

Table 2 depicts the level of knowledge of family members of elderly people regarding Alzheimer’s disease showed that in pre-test majority 44(73.3%) had inadequate knowledge, 11(18.3%) had moderate knowledge and 5(8.4%) had adequate knowledge while in post-test majority 39(65%) had adequate knowledge and 21(35%) had moderate knowledge regarding Alzheimer’s disease.

Findings were supported by Lavina Rodrigues and Thereza Mathias (2016) conducted a study to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching program on knowledge regarding Alzheimer's disease among the family members of elderly revealed that in pre-test majority of the family members of elderly (70%) had average knowledge and 30% had good knowledge but in posttest highest (70%) had good knowledge whereas 28% had excellent knowledge and 2% had average knowledge on Alzheimer's disease.⁹

Figure 1: Distribution of level of knowledge of family members of elderly people regarding Alzheimer’s disease

Table 3: Effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge of family members of elderly people regarding Alzheimer’s disease N=60

Level of Knowledge

Mean

t value

P value

Pre-test

10.98

5.46

11.0

9.450

0.001*

Post-test

21.98

3.86

*P<0.05 level of significance.

Findings on effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge of family members of elderly people regarding Alzheimer’s disease revealed that post-test mean knowledge score 21.98±3.86 was higher than the pre-test mean knowledge score 10.98±5.46 with mean difference of 11.0 with obtained t value (t=9.450, p=0.001) was statistically highly significant at p<0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that structured teaching programme was effective in improving the knowledge of family members of elderly people regarding Alzheimer’s disease.

Study results were congruent with Rajesh Joshi (2020) conducted a study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding Alzheimer diseases among geriatric peoples revealed that post-test mean knowledge score (22.06+2.18) was higher than the pre-test mean knowledge score (14.2+1.06) with calculated “T” value (17.37) was greater than the table value (1.98) at 0.05 level of significance. Findings indicates that the structured teaching programme is effective in increasing knowledge regarding Alzheimer diseases.¹⁰

Figure 2. Distribution of mean score and SD of pre-test and post-test knowledge of family members of elderly people regarding Alzheimer’s disease

Table 4. Association between pre-test level of knowledge of family members of elderly people regarding Alzheimer’s disease with selected demographic variables N=60

Demographic Variables	χ2value	df	P value
Age in years	11.99	6	0.061^NS
Gender	1.043	2	0.978^NS
Educational status	5.945	4	0.203^NS
Religion	3.445	2	0.178^NS
Family income	9.659	6	0.139^NS
Type of family	0.846	2	0.655^NS
Source of information	1.773	6	0.939^NS

Findings of present study revealed that demographic variables such as age, gender, educational status, religion, family income, type of family and source of information of family members were found statistically non significant at p<0.05 with pre-test knowledge regarding Alzheimer’s disease. Similar study was conducted by Sonali, Muniyandi (2017) revealed that age, gender, occupation, type of family, annual income, previous knowledge and source of information were non-significant with pre-test knowledge score of family members regarding Alzheimer’s disease.¹¹

CONCLUSION:

Study findings concluded that family members of elderly people were having lack of knowledge on Alzheimer’s disease and structured teaching programme had shown significant improvement in knowledge of family members of elderly. Findings suggest that educational programmes should be implemented to people with lower education levels in attempt to target specific populations affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a public health crisis, and by providing appropriate and accessible support to family members and care givers for promoting the best possible quality of life for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

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8. Werner P. Correlates of family caregivers' knowledge about Alzheimer's disease. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry2015; 16: 32-38.

9. Lavina Rodrigues and Thereza Mathias conducted a study to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching program on knowledge regarding Alzheimer's disease among the family members of elderly in a selected urban community at Mangalore. Indian J Psychiatry. 2016; 58(1): 44–48.

10. Rajesh Joshi. A study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding Alzheimer diseases among geriatric peoples in selected old age home in Mehsana. Int. J. Nur. Edu. and Research. 2020; 8(2): 202-204.

11. Sonali, Muniyandi. Study to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching on knowledge and attitude regarding the dementia among family members of elderly in selected community area. Int. J. Nur. Edu. and Research. 2017; 5(3): 241-260.

Received on 16.09.2021 Modified on 06.02.2022

Int. J. Nur. Edu. and Research. 2022; 10(3):203-206.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2660.2022.00047