A concept analysis of fear of dementia

Purpose: This study tries to identify and clarify the concept of fear of dementia. Methods: The hybrid model method was used to perform a conceptual analysis of fear for dementia. Results from both the theoretical review of 35 studies and the field study with 8 community-dwelling older adults were included in the final stage. Results: Fear for dementia had 4 dimensions with 14 attributes including cognitive factors (direct experience of precursor symptoms of dementia, indirect experience of dementia, preliminary knowledge of dementia, impossibility of cognitive control, and confidence in dementia), emotional factors (negative feelings and pessimistic thoughts), social factors (social isolation, economic instability, embarrassment), and behavioral factors (existing health problems, making efforts to maintain health, impossibility of body control, peripheral autonomic nervous system response) along with 34 indicators. Conclusion: This study is meaningful because it reveals the attributes of Korean elderly adults' fear for dementia. In addition, the results may serve as a basis for the early assessment and management of fear for dementia.