Cultural diversity

Perceptions, views and opinions about dementia vary across and within population groups. This greatly influences health seeking behaviour and disclosure about illness. A recent study highlights that the language barrier is the primary barrier for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Therefore a strong focus of any initiative aiming to ensure equal access to quality services for older people of non-English speaking backgrounds will be on language and linguistic considerations in all aspects and levels of assessment, treatment and service provision.

Ensure information that promotes awareness and recognition and understanding of the symptoms and behaviours associated with dementia and the merits of medical investigation which includes timely diagnosis, forward planning and access to information and support services is available in a range of languages. ^[1]