Article
Bridging the Alzheimer’s Awareness Gap: The Role of Healthcare Communication in Addressing Misconceptions, Stigma, and Healthcare Engagement
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder and the most common form of dementia. Although early recognition and timely healthcare engagement are increasingly important, public misconceptions, stigma, family responses, and limited awareness may influence when people seek professional advice. This study examines public perceptions of these barriers and the perceived role of awareness campaigns and communication channels in improving Alzheimer’s disease awareness in India. The study used a structured questionnaire containing 20 statements measured on a five-point Likert scale. A total of 56 responses were collected; item-level valid responses ranged from 50 to 52 due to missing data. For hypothesis testing, an exact one-sample signed test was conducted against the neutral point of 3 at a 5% significance level. The survey results indicate statistically significant agreement that memory loss is often considered a normal part of ageing (M = 3.87, p < .001), that public awareness of early symptoms is limited (M = 4.12, p < .001), that families may ignore early memory problems (M = 4.31, p < .001), and that fear and social stigma can prevent families from discussing memory-related problems (M = 4.16, p < .001). Respondents also significantly agreed that public awareness programs can support early diagnosis (M = 4.25), community education can reduce myths (M = 4.22), greater government involvement is needed (M = 4.18), pharmaceutical companies can support awareness (M = 4.16), and multi-stakeholder collaboration can improve Alzheimer’s care (M = 4.16), with p < .001 for each. The findings, therefore, suggest that Alzheimer’s awareness should be understood as more than information exposure: communication needs to connect symptom recognition, family discussion, appropriate healthcare navigation, and multi-stakeholder support.