Table 2 Nursing students’ responses to the aging knowledge assessment (N = 334)
From: Nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward aging and ageism in Palestine
Statement | True % (n) | False % (n) |
|---|---|---|
1. The majority of old people (past 65 years) have Alzheimer’s disease. | 38.6 (129) | 61.4 (205) |
2. As people grow older, their intelligence declines significantly. | 38.3 (128) | 61.7 (206) |
3. It is very difficult for older adults to learn new things. | 30.8 (103) | 69.2 (231) |
4. Personality changes with age. | 27.5 (92) | 72.5 (242) |
5. Memory loss is a normal part of aging. | 70.1 (234) | 29.9 (100) |
6. As adults grow older, reaction time increases. | 74.9 (250) | 25.1 (84) |
7. Clinical depression occurs more frequently in older than younger people. | 27.5 (92) | 72.5 (242) |
8. Older adults are at risk for HIV/AIDS. | 61.4 (205) | 38.6 (129) |
9. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are greater problems in adults over 65. | 36.2 (121) | 63.8 (213) |
10. Older adults have more trouble sleeping than younger adults do. | 70.4 (235) | 29.6 (99) |
11. Older adults have the highest suicide rate of any age group. | 57.8 (193) | 42.2 (141) |
12. High blood pressure increases with age. | 69.5 (232) | 30.5 (102) |
13. Older people perspire less, so they are more likely to suffer hyperthermia. | 70.4 (235) | 29.6 (99) |
14. All women develop osteoporosis as they age. | 31.7 (106) | 68.3 (228) |
15. A person’s height tends to decline in old age. | 74.0 (247) | 26.0 (87) |
16. Physical strength declines in old age. | 74.0 (247) | 26.0 (87) |
17. Most old people lose interest in and capacity for sexual relations. | 24.9 (83) | 75.1 (251) |
18. Bladder capacity decreases with age, leading to frequent urination. | 74.3 (248) | 25.7 (86) |
19. Kidney function is not affected by age. | 43.1 (144) | 56.9 (190) |
20. Constipation increases in more people as they get older. | 27.5 (92) | 72.5 (242) |
21. All five senses tend to decline with age. | 73.1 (244) | 26.9 (90) |
22. As people live longer, they face fewer acute and more chronic conditions. | 72.2 (241) | 27.8 (93) |
23. Retirement is often detrimental to health. | 24.0 (80) | 76.0 (254) |
24. Older adults are less anxious about death than younger adults. | 65.9 (220) | 34.1 (114) |
25. People 65 years of age and older make up about 20 of the U.S. population. | 26.3 (88) | 73.7 (246) |
26. Most older people are living in nursing homes. | 34.4 (115) | 65.6 (219) |
27. The modern family no longer takes care of its elderly. | 30.5 (102) | 69.5 (232) |
28. The life expectancy of men at age 65 is about the same as that of women. | 33.5 (112) | 66.5 (222) |
29. Remaining life expectancy of blacks at age 85 is about the same as whites. | 72.5 (242) | 27.5 (92) |
30. Social Security benefits automatically increase with inflation. | 71.3 (238) | 28.7 (96) |
31. Living below/near poverty level is no longer a problem for older Americans. | 32.9 (110) | 67.1 (224) |
32. Most older drivers are capable of safely operating a motor vehicle. | 62.9 (210) | 37.1 (124) |
33. Older workers cannot work as effectively as younger workers. | 29.6 (99) | 70.4 (235) |
34. Most old people are set in their ways and unable to change. | 26.3 (88) | 73.7 (246) |
35. The majority of old people are bored. | 29.3 (98) | 70.7 (236) |
36. In general, most old people are pretty much alike. | 26.6 (89) | 73.4 (245) |
37. Older adults (65+) have higher rates of criminal victimization. | 35.3 (118) | 64.7 (216) |
38. Older people tend to become more religious as they grow older. | 24.6 (82) | 75.4 (252) |
39. Older adults (65+) are more fearful of crime than younger adults. | 23.4 (78) | 76.6 (256) |
40. Older people do not adapt as well as younger people to relocation. | 28.7 (96) | 71.3 (238) |
41. Participation in voluntary organizations declines with age. | 30.2 (101) | 69.8 (233) |
42. Older people are happier if they disengage from society. | 37.4 (125) | 62.6 (209) |
43. Geriatrics is a specialty in American medicine. | 74.6 (249) | 25.4 (85) |
44. All medical schools require courses in geriatrics and gerontology. | 27.5 (92) | 72.5 (242) |
45. Abuse of older adults is not a significant problem in the U.S. | 37.4 (125) | 62.6 (209) |
46. Grandparents today take less responsibility for grandchildren. | 30.5 (102) | 69.5 (232) |
47. Older persons take longer to recover from stress. | 71.3 (238) | 28.7 (96) |
48. Most older adults consider their health to be good. | 60.5 (202) | 39.5 (132) |
49. Older females exhibit better health care practices than males. | 72.2 (241) | 27.8 (93) |
50. Research has shown that old age begins at 65. | 27.5 (92) | 72.5 (242) |
Knowledge total score M (SD) | 24.72 (4.8) | |