Exploration of Dementia Help Seeking Behaviours Amongst UK South Asian Communities: A Systematic Review

Abstract

In the UK, 25,000 people from ethnic minority background live with dementia. Although dementia associated risk factors are common amongst South Asians, they tend to present at services later and when in crisis. This review explores UK South Asian communities perception of dementia to understand factors impacting their decision to seek help. Search terms assisted by the PICO strategy were inputted into five databases and ten qualitative papers identified. Meta-ethnography methodological framework was implemented for analysis. Four overarching understandings were identified: unfamiliarity with dementia (related to carers initial interpretation of dementia symptoms as normal ageing), cultural expectations to provide care (influenced by communities believes), services not being able to meet cultural needs impacted carers from seeking help and protective factors (religion and community belonging appear to help carers manage their needs). Carers decisions to seek help from dementia services were often influenced by cultural norms and negative experiences of services. They, consequently, turned to alternative approaches to best suit meet their needs. Understanding South Asian’s carers dementia help seeking behaviour would help services adapt and cater appropriately for service users’ needs.