Biomedical subjects

Perla Werner

Publications and source records attributed to Perla Werner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Family physicians' perceptions and predictors regarding the competence of a person with Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess family physicians' perceptions about the competence of a person with AD. METHODS: Telephone interviews were conducted with a representative sample of 395 family physicians using an experimental vignette methodology, varying in the severity of the disease. Participants were requested to rate the competence of the person described in the vignette in the areas of driving, health-decision making, financial decisions, and the performance of instrumental activities of daily living. RESULTS: Results of the study showed that family physicians perceived the person described in the vignette to be highly incompetent in items involving safety issues. Only a small variety of factors were associated with these perceptions. The main factors were the severity of the disease as reflected in the vignette, participants' perceptions regarding the dangerousness and responsibility of the person with AD, and the percentage of patients aged 65 + with cognitive deterioration in the physician's practice. CONCLUSION: The assessment of competence in persons with AD is a subtle and complex process. Future research is urgently needed to further explore the factors affecting the process, such as stigmatic views.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2006

Lay perceptions regarding the competence of persons with Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess lay persons' perceptions about the competence of a person with AD and its relationship to social distance. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a total of 206 Jewish Israeli adults (mean age = 59.7) using an experimental vignette methodology, varying in the severity of the disease. Participants were requested to rate the competence of the person described in the vignette in the areas of driving, health-decision making, financial decisions, and the performance of instrumental activities of daily living. RESULTS: Results of the study showed that lay persons are able to make a distinction between different types of competence, and that their perceptions about competence affect greatly their behavioral discrimination toward a person with AD. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study stress the importance of clarifying the concept of competence among the lay public, in order to reduce the stigmatization of persons with Alzheimer's disease.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2006

Assessing the handwriting process in healthy elderly persons using a computerized system.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Despite the importance of handwriting in everyday life, virtually no literature can be found documenting the extent and range of everyday handwriting performance and ability among healthy elderly persons. The aim of this pilot study was to examine the kinematic characteristics of the handwriting process of healthy elderly persons and its correlates. METHODS: Fifty-three healthy participants (aged 60 to 94) living in the community, performed five functional writing tasks using a computerized system which documented the handwriting process. RESULTS: In air time (i.e., the time of non-writing while writing) accounted for approximately half to two-thirds of total writing time. Higher age was consistently associated with longer on paper and in air time, as well as with lower speed and lower pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study indicate that kinematic analysis of handwriting provides important information about the handwriting process among elderly people.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2006

Handwriting process variables discriminating mild Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.

This study's aims were (a) to examine kinematically the handwriting process of persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), compared with those with mild Alzheimer's disease and healthy controls; (b) to assess the importance of these measures for the differentiation of the groups; and (c) to assess characteristics of the handwriting process across different functional tasks. Thirty-one persons with MCI, 22 with mild Alzheimer's disease, and 41 healthy controls performed functional tasks while using a computerized system. We found significant differences between the groups in almost all measures, with the MCI group assuming a position between the other groups. Temporal measures were higher and pressure was lower in more cognitively deteriorated groups. Information gathered about kinematic measures, together with cognitive functioning, allowed us to classify 69% to 72% of the participants correctly, although the classification for the MCI group was relatively poor.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Social distance towards a person with Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined determinants of behavioral discrimination (i.e. social distance) against persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a total of 206 Jewish Israeli adults (mean age = 59.7) using an experimental vignette methodology, varying in the severity of the disease. METHODS: Information regarding participants' preferences for social distance from a person with AD was elicited. The effects of emotional reactions, perceptions of dangerousness of the person depicted in the vignette, personal experience with the disease, and perceptions about the susceptibility of developing AD were examined. RESULTS: Results of the study provide partial support for an extended version of the attribution model, in that prosocial feelings were found to decrease the behavioral discrimination against the person described, whereas feelings of rejection increased the discrimination. A direct, unmediated effect of the severity of the disease on social distance was found, as well as a direct effect of familiarity with someone with the disease. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study stress the importance of increasing government and advocacy initiatives that would provide the lay public with accurate knowledge about the disease, its symptoms, and treatments. These campaigns should be aimed at clarifying misconceptions and communicating empathetic feelings towards people diagnosed with AD.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Osteoporosis health-related behavior among healthy peri-menopausal and post-menopausal Israeli Jewish and Arab women.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Health practices such as calcium-rich diet and exercise, are associated with the prevention of osteoporosis. Since studies showed that ethnic minorities are less involved in preventive practices, the aim of this study was to examine patterns and correlates of osteoporosis health-related behavior in Israeli-Jewish and Arab women. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 261 women aged 45 and older (70% Jewish). Health behavior included: physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, use of hormone replacement therapy, screening behavior, calcium intake, pharmacological prevention, and help-seeking patterns. Correlates included demographic variables, health characteristics (menopausal status, family history of osteoporosis), knowledge about osteoporosis, and beliefs (susceptibility and worries about developing osteoporosis). RESULTS: Compared with Jewish participants, a lower percentage of Arab women engaged in physical activity, were on HRT, and had had bone density examinations. Their overall calcium intake was significantly lower as well. Levels of knowledge were moderate to low for the whole group, but more so among Arab women. Engaging in physical activities was associated with being menopausal and with having more knowledge among Jewish women, and with having more knowledge and lower rates of concern among Arab women. CONCLUSIONS: Expanding knowledge about osteoporosis may prove beneficial for increasing participation in preventive behavior in both groups. Special attention should be paid to different levels of education and to differences in subjects' needs and accessibility to sources of information.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Lay perceptions about mental health: where is age and where is Alzheimer's disease?

Studies on laypersons' beliefs and knowledge about mental disorders have proliferated in recent years. However, attention has been focused mainly on depression and schizophrenia and on young adults. The aim of this paper is to summarize research in the area, and to discuss the need to expand research in the elderly population. The unique characteristics of older persons in terms of the prevalence and type of mental disorders, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias, as well as in terms of their being victims of "double jeopardy" require special attention and research. The present review has three main objectives. First, it summarizes the findings of studies examining different aspects of mental health literacy. Second, the importance of age in the study of mental health literacy is discussed. Third, findings of the few studies examining laypersons' beliefs in the area of AD are presented. Finally, research directions are suggested with special emphasis on the importance of geriatric mental health and mental health literacy.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Describing the social environment of elderly persons at the time of death.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the social environment of elderly persons at the time of their death and its correlates. DESIGN: Telephone interviews with the next-of-kin of deceased elderly persons. PARTICIPANTS: Potential participants were the next-of-kin of all Jewish elderly individuals who died during the course of one year in a major city in the northern part of Israel. The final sample included 139 participants (58% response rate; 70% cooperation rate). MEASUREMENTS: Information was collected regarding the decedents' social environment three days before their death and at the time of death. Eight types of informal sources of support and four sources of formal support were examined. The correlates examined included the decedents' demographic, health, social, and death characteristics. RESULTS: The majority of the decedents died while surrounded by at least one family member. Having a larger social network was associated with a larger number of persons present at the time of death. Being informed about the impending death was associated with a larger number of persons from the formal and informal networks present at the time of death. CONCLUSIONS: The common fear of dying alone and isolated was not confirmed by this study. Increased efforts should be invested in helping professionals to deal with the difficulties inherent to the process of diagnosing an upcoming death.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2005

Management of osteoporosis: a national survey of Israeli dietitians' knowledge and perceptions.

The aim of this study was to assess Israeli dietitians' knowledge and attitudes regarding osteoporosis. Participants were 320 dietitians responding to a mail survey. Israeli dietitians scored highly on the Facts on Osteoporosis Quiz-FOOQ. Israeli dietitians' dietary knowledge regarding calcium (recommended dietary allowance, content in food and in supplements) was fairly high; unlike knowledge regarding vitamin D. Israeli dietitians had a firm positive opinion of their role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Lay persons' emotional reactions toward an abused elderly person.

This study examined lay persons' emotional reactions to abuse, with special attention to two types of disease: Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis. A total of 169 adults (mean age = 60) were interviewed face-to-face using a vignette methodology. Although the majority of the participants found the vignette to describe a situation of abuse, one-quarter did not consider it an abusive situation. The person described in the vignette elicited more positive than negative emotions, with a high percentage of participants expressing sympathy, desire to help, and concern. The various emotional reactions to abuse are associated with different correlates.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Correlates of intrusive memories and avoidance of memories of the Holocaust.

Although intrusive memories and avoidance of memories are psychological phenomena frequently reported by Holocaust survivors, their correlates have not been systematically researched. The present cross-sectional study examined socio-demographic and health characteristics of elderly Holocaust survivors, as well as the survivors' experiences during the Holocaust. In addition, present distress related to the Holocaust and fear of dying were examined. Results showed that survivors frequently suffered from intrusive memories, but not often from avoidance of memories of the Holocaust. Intrusive memories were strongly associated with present distress from the Holocaust, as well as with self-perceived bad health and fear of dying. These findings suggest that intrusive memories influence survivors' perceptions of life and change the way in which they deal with aging.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Knowledge about osteoporosis: assessment, correlates and outcomes.

During the last 10 years, we have witnessed an impressive increase in the number of studies examining knowledge about osteoporosis. The aim of the present paper is to examine the status of research on knowledge about osteoporosis by reviewing and analyzing the current literature as it pertains to assessment of knowledge about osteoporosis, factors associated with knowledge, and relationship between knowledge about osteoporosis and participation in health-related behaviors. Finally, future directions in the field are discussed. Many of the studies are still characterized by the lack of a theoretical framework, as well as by various methodological flaws. Serious deficits in knowledge are reported among healthy and diagnosed women and men, as well as among health professionals. Educational interventions are accompanied by an increase in knowledge, but no change in behavior. There is need to expand the research on knowledge about osteoporosis, especially in an effort to increase its impact on the prevention and early diagnosis of the disease. The deficits found in the knowledge of both the general population and among health care professionals, should be addressed by providing updated and reliable information through appropriate health promotion and professional venues.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Emotional reactions of lay persons to someone with Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Information about the nature of public reactions to people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) can help reduce stigmatization associated with the disease. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine emotional reactions to persons with AD, and its correlates. METHODS: A total of 150 Jewish Israeli adults (mean age=59.9) were interviewed face-to-face regarding their emotional reactions to people with AD using a vignette methodology. RESULTS: Only a third of the participants gave the correct label. The person described in the vignette elicited more positive than negative emotions. Gender and perceived threat were the most important factors associated with emotional reactions. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest the need to expand the efforts to increase the recognition of AD by lay persons, and to address the negative emotions of several risk groups, such as male adults and those with greater concern about developing the disease.

Affect↗

PubMed2004

Intentions of first-degree relatives of patients with Alzheimer's disease to seek a cognitive status examination.

AIMS: The aim of the present study was to examine the factors influencing intentions to seek a cognitive status evaluation among first-degree relatives of persons with Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: Phone interviews were conducted with 93 first-degree relatives of persons with Alzheimer's disease, recruited from a large memory clinic. MEASURES: Intentions to seek a cognitive status examination were examined by asking participants to rate their willingness to seek a cognitive status examination during the next year and during the next five years. Independent variables included participants' and patients' characteristics, caregiving characteristics, knowledge about AD, worries about memory problems, and perceptions of the benefits and barriers of seeking a cognitive status examination. RESULTS: Overall, first-degree relatives reported only moderate intentions to seek a cognitive status examination. Their willingness to seek an examination was related to the characteristics of the first-degree relative (income and subjective memory), the characteristics of the patients (behavioral problems), the caregiving characteristics (primary caregiver), and to the perceptions of barriers associated with the examination. CONCLUSIONS: These findings stress the complexity of the decision-making process confronting first-degree relatives regarding their intentions to seek a cognitive status examination, and suggest the need to provide information to reach an informed decision.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Willingness to use telemedicine for psychiatric care.

The aim of this study was to assess potential users' willingness to use telepsychiatry and its correlates within a theoretical framework guided by the principles of social-cognitive models. The conceptual model proposed willingness to use telepsychiatry to be associated directly to attitudes toward telemedicine, attitudes toward the patient-physician relationship, and satisfaction with current medical care, and indirectly to anxiety to technology. Phone interviews were conducted with a representative sample of 1,204 Jewish, noninstitutionalized adults in Israel (mean age = 58; 51% female). Structural equation modeling was used to examine hypothesized relationships. Willingness to use telepsychiatry was relatively high and was affected by the participants' attitudes toward telemedicine, the patient-physician relationship, and by the level of anxiety toward technology. Efforts aimed at encouraging the use of telemedicine for psychiatric care should target potential users' attitudes, as well as feelings of uneasiness and anxiety regarding technology.

Anxiety↗

PubMed2004

Nurses' and social workers' attitudes and beliefs about and involvement in life-sustaining treatment decisions.

Data were collected from 213 nurses and 61 social workers at major hospitals across Israel. Whereas nurses reported being more involved in the daily care of terminally ill patients, social workers reported being more involved in discussions with patients and family members. Nurses were more willing than social workers to use artificial feeding and less willing to use mechanical ventilation and CPR for all conditions. Social workers expressed stronger beliefs about their involvement in end-of-life issues. These findings, which reflect the differences in the professional values and experiences of both groups, encourage the use of interdisciplinary teams to improve end-of-life decision making.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Osteoporosis health-related behaviors in secular and orthodox Israeli Jewish women.

OBJECTIVE: To compare patterns of osteoporosis health-related behaviors in peri and postmenopausal ultra-orthodox and secular Jewish women. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 277 Israeli-Jewish women aged 45+. Health behaviors examined included: physical activity, smoking behavior, alcohol consumption, hormone replacement usage, screening behavior, calcium intake, pharmacological prevention, and help-seeking patterns. Correlates included demographic variables, health characteristics, knowledge, susceptibility beliefs, and familiarity with the disease. RESULTS: Low proportions of women in both groups participated in physical activities, but differed in type. Calcium intake was deficient in both groups. Education was the only correlate of calcium intake among secular women, and previous experience with the disease was the main determinant among orthodox women. Compared with the secular group, a considerably lower proportion of orthodox women reported using HRT or having performed a bone density examination. Orthodox participants' level of knowledge about osteoporosis was significantly lower as well. Education was an important correlate of knowledge in both groups, as was having performed a bone density examination. Higher age and being menopausal were important correlates of knowledge only for secular women. Having a family member suffering from the disease was associated with higher levels of knowledge among orthodox women. Marked differences were found in the participants' sources of information across groups. CONCLUSIONS: Findings emphasize the need to expand education in all areas of osteoporosis health-related behaviors among ultra-orthodox women, and in calcium intake and exercise for secular women as well. The transmission of the information should be adapted to the practices of each group.

Female↗

PubMed2003

First-degree relatives of persons suffering from osteoporosis: beliefs, knowledge, and health-related behavior.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the beliefs, knowledge, and health-related behaviors of first-degree relatives (FDRs) of osteoporotic women with a comparison group of women not having a FDR with osteoporosis. RESEARCH DESIGN: Telephone interviews. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 172 women (48 FDRs and 124 comparisons), recruited by a systematic sampling from the list of all women aged 40+ attending an outpatient screening program at a large tertiary medical center in Israel. METHODS: Information was collected regarding participants' perceived susceptibility to develop osteoporosis, perceived concerns, and perceived prevention optimism. Additionally, information was collected regarding knowledge about osteoporosis, and participation in screening and preventive behavior. RESULTS: Participants in the FDR group reported higher perceived susceptibility and higher concerns about developing the disease than participants in the comparison group. A higher proportion of FDRs reported engaging in screening behavior, but no differences were found in preventive behaviors. Screening behavior was associated with perceived concerns and age for members of the comparison group, and with age for FDRs. CONCLUSIONS: FDRs are characterized by greater perceived vulnerability and concerns. However, they are no more likely to engage in preventive behaviors or have more knowledge about the disease. These findings stress the importance of expanding efforts to increase the knowledge and awareness of at-risk persons.

Adult↗