Raising awareness of dementia among BMEs

Evaluation of dementia awareness raising sessions for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities held in Worcestershire last year, reveals a need for improvement in access to services for some people.

Organised by Worcestershire County Council, and Herefordshire & Worcestershire Age Concern, the three sessions were held in response to concerns that BME people with dementia tend to seek help when their condition has become severe.

Called ‘Caring for Someone with Memory Loss’ (there is no native word for Dementia or similar terms in many Asian languages) the sessions were held in March 2011 in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester.  The aim was to inform families and carers about the causes of dementia and the way it affects their lives. 

Evaluation findings alongside the targets set show:

Raising awareness
Attendance in Redditch and Worcester was higher than expected, with attendees showing a keen interest in the topic and asking for further sessions related to other health issues that affect their communities, including diabetes and depression. 

Attendees indicated they would share the newly learned information with others in their communities.

Identifying additional hidden carers
Four new carers were identified and referred to the Carer’s Unit and Redditch Carers’ Careline.

Improve the quality of life for carers and the cared for person
During the course of the sessions attendees said they were using some of the techniques offered and felt they had improved understanding of the needs of the person they cared for.

Improving access for BAME groups to services and provision for those with dementia
Some attendees were unaware they could refer the person they cared for with memory loss, to a GP. They appeared largely unaware of any services or medication available. Several indicated they would take the person they look after to their GP for a review.  

Contact: Superna Makwana, Carers Development Officer, telephone: 01905 728824,

mobile: 07733304038.