Tijdschrift voor Gerontologie en Geriatrie
Volume 42, Issue 5, 2011, Pages 204-214

Diagnosis of dementia in non-western elderly migrants in memory clinics: Obstacles and solutions [Dementiediagnostiek bij oudere migranten op de geheugenpolikliniek: obstakels en oplossingen] (Article)

Goudsmit M.* , Parlevliet J.L. , Van Campen J.P.C.M. , Schmand B.
  • a Afdeling Medische Psychologie Slotervaartziekenhuis, Gezondheidszorgpsycholoog/neuropsycholoog Slotervaartziekenhuis, Louwesweg 6, 1066 Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • b Klinisch Geriater Academisch Medisch Centrum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • c Klinisch Geriater Slotervaartziekenhuis, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • d Klinisch Neuropsycholoog Academisch Medisch Centrum, Universiteit Van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

Diagnosis of dementia in non-western elderly migrants in memory clinics: obstacles and solutions: In the next decade the number of non-western elderly immigrants will double in the Netherlands. Because of specific risk factors (hypertension, diabetes), the number of elderly immigrants with dementia will probably increase. Memory clinics are not well prepared for these patients, because health professionals lack knowledge about important obstacles in intercultural dementia diagnostics. They should consider language barriers, cultural differences, low level of education and illiteracy, as well as ignorance about dementia, shame and special care expectations of patients and their families. We give recommendations to improve communication, (neuropsychological) testing and counseling in clinical practice.

Author Keywords

Illiteracy Cognitive screening Neuropsychological tests Cognitive decline ethnic minorities

Index Keywords

Netherlands cultural anthropology educational status psychological aspect Dementia minority group human Ethnic Groups ethnic group Aged language Humans Minority Groups male Emigrants and Immigrants female Article migration Culture
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84859720432&doi=10.1007%2fs12439-011-0036-z&partnerID=40&md5=1a8d581131bc3031287f0e9357f8a1b5
DOI: 10.1007/s12439-011-0036-z
ISSN: 01679228
Cited by: 4
Original Language: Dutch