A Provincial Population-Based Survey on Attitudes towards Wills of Individuals with Dementia and Related Issues

Objectives This study investigated the attitudes of a provincial population towards wills of individuals with dementia and related concerns to prevent civil disputes related to dementia in an aging society. Methods The target population was registered residents in a province aged 19 years or older. The population forming the sampling frame was 1478821 (as of May 31, 2013). With a confidence interval of 2% and significance level of 5%, 2540 participants were sampled. This survey used a structured questionnaire composed of two main parts : seven items of general information (sex, age, residence, marital status, education, occupation, and income) and Testamentary Capacity-Related Questionnaire-12 items (TCRQ-12) comprising four items of basic knowledge and eight items of specific situational questions, using a five point Likert scale. Results The respondents were favorable toward the guarantee of will-making capacity of individuals with dementia. Self-relatedness, disadvantageousness and undue influence are significantly associated with objection to the will of individuals with dementia. In the pre-evaluation of testamentary capacity of individuals with dementia, the respondents responded strongly and with more favorable attitudes for evaluation by medical specialists than by lawyers. Last, in acceptance of the denial of self-related will due to dementia, negative response was dominant over positive response. Conclusion Although it would be desirable that the will or testamentary capacity of individuals with dementia should be guaranteed for maximum, institutional and professional approaches are necessary to prevent civil disputes related to dementia