Dementia is a health issue that is not understood adequately in South Asian communities. A good practice model that is culturally/religiously appropriate is required to identify and support individuals with lived experience of dementia or at risk of dementia and support their carers too.

To ensure holistic approach to service provision for South Asians, we seek to work towards a model suitable for their needs, and empower people with clear information about dementia where they are able to identify cases of dementia or at risk of dementia. To develop appropriate support for people with dementia and for their carers, and to create accessible information in people’s first language, we would do the following:

• Provide workshops raising awareness of dementia in South Asian communities.
• Invite specialist organisations to give presentations.
• Encourage people to recognise early signs of dementia.
• Give leaflets to families to understand the term.
• Identify people with dementia by outreaching South Asian communities.
• Talk to people with lived experience of dementia about their needs.
• Liaise with carers to discuss barriers and support.
• Create a platform to give voice to South Asian communities to advocate for their needs in accessing information and services in relation to dementia.

Rana Shams
Dementia Project Coordinator