Patients from diverse backgrounds face additional challenges in getting an early diagnosis and care support which meets their needs.
Carers and health experts advocate a cultural approach to dementia care.
Alzheimers Australia says its critical to visit a doctor to get a diagnosis early.
Yet their research reveals people from diverse communities are diagnosed later than the rest of the population.
Some patients from diverse backgrounds may be unwilling to discuss the illness in fear that they will be labelled as crazy.
Carers working in African, Chinese and Latino American communities found people thought an elderly relatives memory loss was due to normal ageing.
Language is another barrier for those living with dementia.
Alzheimers Australia 2008 report found that patients prefer to be informed about their illness in their native language.
Dementia researcher at UTS Professor of Palliative Medicine says many factors go into a care plan.
Professor Agars research led to the development of the national guidelines for dementia services.
Recommendations include that bilingual staff or professional interpreters are provided especially during care assessment.
