People from ethnic minority communities may be less likely to obtain a diagnosis, according to research. According to one study, the largest number of diagnoses was observed among White ethnic groupings, while Black and Asian ethnic groups had the lowest percentages.

In the UK, it can be particularly difficult for black communities and other ethnic minorities to get the assistance and care they need for dementia. A combination of cultural, social, and societal structural issues results in hurdles that affect the overall quality of life and diagnosis of dementia patients as well as their carers. There are differences across different ethnic groups, and little is known about the relationship between older individuals’ ethnicity and dementia. Delays in diagnosis could result in some therapies less accessible or effective. Overall, it is predicted that by 2060, the number of dementia cases among ethnic minority groups will have increased by seven times (Saul, 2020).

There is a vast range of cultural ideas and views around dementia within ethnic communities. Some people would consider cognitive decline and memory loss to be natural aspects of ageing, while others might link the symptoms to paranormal or spiritual sources. The stigma associated with mental illness and cognitive impairments may keep people from getting treatment or from telling loved ones and medical professionals about their symptoms. Individuals who have dementia may come with healthcare institutions that are insensitive to their cultural background. Disparities in the quality of care received can be caused by cultural differences in communication methods and treatment preferences. Alongside this, some members of these communities may find it difficult to communicate with healthcare professionals due to limited English proficiency. This can cause delays in diagnosis and make it more difficult for these individuals to receive the proper care and support services. This can seriously increase the stress on carers who take on the responsibility of providing dementia care without enough assistance or respite care.

So how can we deal with these issues? It would be helpful to prioritise language access services, such as translation and interpretation, can help those healthcare providers communicate effectively with patients and carers who do not speak English well. This may also take some of the burden from the families of the patients who would usually act as translators between the patient and the healthcare professional.

Family carers should also be provided with comprehensive and accessible support services, such as counselling, education programmes, and respite care. Support groups that are culturally sensitive can provide carers a feeling of community and lessen their overwhelming feelings of worry and loneliness.

Another way to improve dementia care for black and minority ethnic individuals to better understand and handle their special needs and views, healthcare practitioners should undergo a kind of cultural awareness training. Understanding cultural norms, attitudes, and beliefs around health and sickness is part of this training.

In summary dementia is a serious public health issue that impacts people of all backgrounds. Through improved language accessibility, fair access to care and support resources and increased understanding of cultural differences from healthcare providers, we can improve the quality of life and outcomes for black and minority ethnic individuals with dementia in the UK as well as their families.

References

Arblaster, K. (2021). Ethnic Minority Communities. [online] Available at: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-09/ethinic_minorities_increasing_access_to_diagnosis.pdf.

‌Saul, H. (2020). People with dementia from ethnic minority backgrounds face extra barriers in accessing care. [online] NIHR Evidence. Available at: https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/ethnic-minority-dementia-extra-barriers-in-accessing-care/