Considerations for the neuropsychological evaluation of older ethnic minority populations

Abstract

The US population is rapidly becoming both older and more culturally diverse [1]. These changes in the demographic profile of the US highlight the need for clinical neuropsychologists to be equipped to competently evaluate the growing population of older individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds. However, there is a relative dearth of empirically based, practical resources specifically targeted toward serving such individuals. The aim of this chapter is to identify some of the most salient challenges in the evaluation of culturally diverse ethnic minority older adults and provide some guidelines to help face these challenges. We will examine sociocultural issues germane to older ethnic minority patients referred for neuropsychological evaluation and discuss relevant assessment considerations. Although the focus of this chapter is on ethnic minority older adults, this discussion may also be germane to other nontraditional, older populations including those from rural and low socioeconomic backgrounds.