Interventions to promote dementia knowledge among racial/ethnic minority groups: A systematic review

Abstract

Background Certain racial/ethnic minority groups have a higher risk of developing dementia, yet studies have demonstrated that they often have limited knowledge and understanding of this disease. An increasing number of educational and advocacy programs have been developed to promote dementia knowledge. We aimed at assessing current evidence and quality regarding educational interventions for promoting dementia knowledge. Methods We searched for intervention studies published in English that focused on educational interventions for promoting dementia knowledge among racial/ethnic minority groups. We identified 25 relevant studies through PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus, using tailored search terms. We screened titles and abstracts, reviewed full texts, synthesized relevant evidence, and evaluated the studies' quality based on the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Relevant intervention studies took place in communities, hospitals or clinics, and schools, and online. Results Most studies were conducted in the United States (n = 21), followed by the UK (n = 3). Over half of the studies included Asian/Pacific Islander groups (n = 14), followed by Black groups (n = 12) and Hispanic groups (n = 11). The intervention delivery mode varied across studies—from workshops hosted in a faith community to talk shows on YouTube. Target populations included middle‐aged and older adults, caregivers and family members, health students and professionals, and elementary school students. Common content included symptoms and signs of dementia, protective and risk factors, and local resources. The assessment of study outcomes varied across studies. Improvement in dementia knowledge and attitudes towards dementia was reported in many studies. Among the included studies, intervention satisfaction was high. The overall quality of the interventions was low. Conclusion Formally evaluated educational interventions promoting dementia knowledge are at an early stage. Existing published interventions showed adequate acceptability and promise in promoting better understanding and awareness of dementia in minority groups. More well‐designed randomized controlled trials are needed.

The Senior Companion Program Plus (SCP Plus): Examining the Preliminary Effectiveness of a Lay Provider Program to Support African American Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) Caregivers

“…Both the quantitative and qualitative findings suggest that caregivers reported increased knowledge of dementia after participating SCP Plus. These findings are promising, as research suggests that there is a continued need for interventions that promote knowledge of ADRD among racial and ethnic minority groups [ 54 ]. Previous research also points toward the need for, and benefits of, improving knowledge of ADRD among ethnically diverse ADRD caregivers [ 55 ].…”

Early Identification of Cognitive Impairment: Utility of the Mini-Cog in Non-Clinical Settings

“…While those education campaigns had not eliminated the stigma around dementia, we speculate that the programs focusing on Black churches and community centers may have reduced the impact of stigma among the Black older adults in our sample. This project highlighted the depth of misunderstanding and stigma associated with dementia in minority and lower income communities, and emphasized the need for continuing and long-term ongoing education about dementia and resources available to families dealing with dementia (Epps et al, 2018; Huggins et al, 2021; Laditka et al, 2013; Parker et al, 2020). Finally, our findings echo previous research documenting racial disparities in cognition scores.…”

“…As a result of this project, the county AAA has added the Mini-Cog™ instrument to their intake procedures for CMs serving vulnerable communities across the county. Future interventions to encourage the acceptance of Mini-Cog™ screenings in non-clinical settings, as well as acceptance of referrals for additional evaluation of cognitive function, should begin with reducing stigma in the community by educating the public about dementia and engaging members of racial and cultural communities in outreach (Huggins et al, 2021).…”

Attitudes toward dementia screening and influential factors in older adults in China

“…In conclusion, older adults and caregivers need to recognize the importance of early dementia screening. Previous studies reported the need for community education and the significant impact of dementia on the quality of life among older adults and their caregivers; therefore, communities should play a role in advocacy to encourage early dementia screening in older adults 33,35 . Screening procedures for dementia in older adults should fully consider each patient's current health status and choose a method that is acceptable to both patients and their families.…”