Association Between Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Ageing in Kuala Lumpur: The Moderating Role of Exposure to Older Adults with Dementia

Background/Objectives: Exposure to older adults has been shown to influence the formation of attitudes toward this demographic. This raises the question of whether such exposure affects the relationship between the knowledge of ageing and attitudes toward ageing. The current study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and attitude toward ageing, as well as to examine the moderating effect of exposure towards older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study using convenience sampling was conducted in Kuala Lumpur and involved 392 participants with a mean age of 28.69 years (S.D. = 7.61) and an age range of 18 to 59 years. Data were collected using a questionnaire that included sociodemographic questions, Kogan's Attitude toward Old People (KAOP), and Palmore's Facts on Ageing Quiz (FAQ). Hierarchical regression and moderation analyses were conducted using SPSS version 23 and the PROCESS macro. Results: The findings show that the public had a moderate level of knowledge about ageing and a slightly positive attitude toward it. Knowing someone with dementia significantly moderated the relationship between ageing knowledge and positive attitudes toward ageing. Furthermore, the positive impact of ageing knowledge decreased as experience in caring for individuals with dementia increased. Conclusions: Understanding the moderating effect of caregiving for those with dementia can inform public health strategies and caregiver support programs, encouraging a more nuanced approach to ageing education that considers the practical experiences of those who interact with older adults with cognitive impairments.