Healthcare Staff Perspectives on the Reasons African Caribbean People may present later to Dementia Services

Background and aims: Existing research highlights the challenges faced by Ethnic Minority (EM) groups in accessing services for dementia. African-Caribbean (AFC) individuals are reported to be at increased risk of developing early-onset dementia, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, studies also suggest that AFC populations are less likely to access dementia services. This research aimed to explore this disparity by gathering National Health Service (NHS) staff perspectives on why AFC individuals may present at the later stages of dementia and what services are currently doing to ‘reach out’ to this community. Method: A qualitative approach was employed. Three focus groups were conducted across three London boroughs with NHS staff working in memory services. Interview data was analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Results: Participants highlighted the role of stigma in deterring AFC individuals from accessing services. Religion was seen as both a potential support and a barrier, with calls for more collaborative work with religious leaders. A further theme reflected how systemic racism can influence help-seeking behaviour and how services were often perceived as lacking cultural appropriateness. Finally, while participants acknowledged that AFC communities were beginning to access services, they emphasised the importance of services taking more proactive steps to ‘reach out’ to the AFC community. Questions were raised about whose responsibility it is to lead and participate in outreach and inclusivity initiatives. Discussion: The research findings are discussed in relation to the existing literature and the research question. Clinical implications are considered within the context of Clinical Psychology and NHS provision.