A RE-AIM Analysis of an Intergenerational Dementia Education Program.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Child Psychology
• Public Health Education

Background:

• Children often exhibit limited understanding and negative attitudes towards individuals with dementia.
• The long-term impact of intergenerational programs on dementia-related knowledge and attitudes in children remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the short- and long-term effects of a school-based dementia education program on children's knowledge and attitudes.
• To qualitatively explore program elements that facilitate changes in dementia understanding and attitudes.
• To assess the impact of an intergenerational component within the dementia education program.

Main Methods:

• An 8-week dementia education program involving 81 children, with 52 participating in an intergenerational component.
• The Kids Insight into Dementia Survey (KIDS) measured dementia knowledge and attitudes pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and at 6-month follow-up.
• Qualitative interviews and cost-benefit analysis informed adoption, implementation, and efficacy.

Main Results:

• The program reached 93% of targeted school children, demonstrating significant impact.
• Dementia knowledge and attitudes improved immediately post-program and were maintained at 6-month follow-up.
• Qualitative data revealed enhanced empathy and community awareness in children; intergenerational interaction did not yield different results.

Conclusions:

• School-based dementia education effectively improves children's knowledge of and attitudes toward people with dementia in the long term.
• The program's success is replicable in primary school and community settings, highlighting the importance of school and community partnerships.
• Findings provide initial evidence for the sustained positive effects of dementia education in young populations.