Dementia in ethnic minorities

Abstract

The elderly population of ethnic minorities is increasing in most Western countries, but ethnic minority patients are underrepresented in dementia assessment and care. This may in part be due to cultural perceptions of dementia and lack of knowledge about the available support among ethnic minorities. Also, it can be difficult to make clinical assessments of ethnic minority patients who do see a physician for dementia symptoms. In particular, the interpretation of cognitive test results represents a major challenge.