Putting Me Into Memory Services (PMIMS study) protocol: co-exploring dementia and ethnicity using Photovoice

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Dementia prevalence is rising sharply in UK minority ethnic communities, at nearly six times the national average.
• Research under-representation limits understanding of disparities, yet evidence indicates delayed diagnoses, crisis-level care, and reduced lifespan in these groups.
• Existing knowledge gaps hinder effective dementia care strategies for racially minoritized populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate cultural perspectives on aging and dementia within minority ethnic communities.
• To identify barriers and enablers to healthcare access for family caregivers of individuals with memory problems.
• To co-design community-led interventions aimed at improving dementia care access and uptake.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review of UK literature on dementia care disparities.
• Photovoice methodology involving focus groups with family caregivers from Chinese, Caribbean, and South Asian communities in Sheffield.
• Co-design workshops with community leaders to develop intervention prototypes.

Main Results:

• Significant inequities in dementia service access and uptake persist despite rising prevalence in minority ethnic communities.
• Limited understanding exists regarding cultural influences on dementia care engagement and the impact of structural discrimination.
• No formal interventions specifically addressing racial inequity in dementia care have been published.

Conclusions:

• This research highlights the critical need to address cultural nuances and structural discrimination in dementia care for minority ethnic groups.
• Findings will inform the development of culturally sensitive and accessible dementia support services.
• Community-led approaches are essential for improving dementia care outcomes and reducing health inequities.