Understanding dementia: effective information access from the Deaf community's perspective

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Linguistics

Background:

• Older Deaf adults in the UK face challenges accessing information, particularly regarding health conditions like dementia.
• A culturally Deaf perspective is crucial for effective health communication and awareness initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore effective information access strategies for older Deaf sign language users concerning dementia.
• To promote awareness and understanding of dementia within the culturally Deaf community.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological approach to thematic analysis of focus group data.
• Purposive sampling of 26 Deaf participants without dementia.
• Focus groups conducted directly in British Sign Language (BSL).

Main Results:

• British Sign Language (BSL) translation is necessary but insufficient; culturally preferred engagement methods are vital.
• Information should utilize visual cognitive strengths through specific structures and formats.
• Cultural values, collective responsibility, and pan-national knowledge transfer are important for dementia awareness.

Conclusions:

• Effective dementia information access for Deaf individuals necessitates more than simple translation, requiring culturally congruent communication strategies.
• Visual-centric information delivery and community-based knowledge sharing enhance understanding of dementia among Deaf populations.
• Findings have universal implications for public health engagement and dementia awareness initiatives, aligning with national strategies.