Factors Related to Dementia Worry Comparing Middle-Aged and Older Adults in South Korea

Abstract

As the number of individuals with dementia and exposure to dementia increases, worrying about dementia may threaten individuals' health and lifestyle. This cross-sectional study compared dementia worry and related factors between middle-aged and older adults in South Korea. A self-reported descriptive survey or face-to-face interview was conducted with 154 middle-aged adults (mean age = 55.8 years; 64.3% women) and 51 older adults (mean age = 71.3 years; 52.9% women) in South Korea. Older adults were more worried about dementia than middle-aged adults. For middle-aged adults, compared to their counterparts, being a female, having less than a high school education, and having lower family function was associated with more dementia worry. Contrastingly, for older adults, having more diseases, having lower family function, and being economically dependent was associated with more dementia worry. Health care providers should consider individuals' age and family function to develop a program that addresses dementia worry in Asian cultures.