The Importance of Culturally Competent Care

Dementia affects millions of families across the United States, but its impact is not felt equally. Black and African American older adults face a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, while also encountering greater barriers to diagnosis, care and support. These disparities shape how families experience dementia, from the earliest signs of memory change to the long-term realities of caregiving.

Examining these challenges is an important step toward improving outcomes and advancing equity in dementia care.

Higher Dementia Risk, Less Recognition

Research shows that older Black adults are about two times more likely than older white adults to develop Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, yet they are also less likely to receive timely diagnoses and appropriate care. Even when symptoms are present, studies find Black patients often experience delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis; in fact, Black individuals are 35 percent less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s compared to white individuals, despite greater risk and symptom severity.

Experiences of discrimination or bias within the healthcare system can also contribute to late diagnoses. When individuals or families feel unheard or dismissed by providers, the stigma around dementia can deepen and discourage open conversations about cognitive health.

These disparities have a ripple effect. When diagnosis happens during the later stages of dementia, or not at all, families lose valuable time for planning, treatment and support, adding stress to an already complex situation.

The Importance of Culturally Competent Care
Culturally competent care plays a critical role in improving dementia outcomes for Black and African American families. This approach recognizes how culture, lived experience, family dynamics and historical inequities shape how individuals understand illness, seek care and engage with providers.

For dementia care, culturally competent support means providers who listen without judgment, respect family caregiving traditions, communicate clearly and understand the cultural context surrounding memory loss and aging. When care feels respectful and relevant, families are more likely to seek evaluation earlier, ask questions, participate in treatment decisions and remain engaged in support services.

Culturally competent care also helps reduce stigma by normalizing conversations about dementia and acknowledging the unique strengths and challenges within Black caregiving dyads — ultimately leading to better quality of life for both caregivers and those living with dementia.

Getting Involved: SHARE and Dementia Research

Black families’ voices and experiences are essential to understanding dementia in diverse communities. That’s one reason programs like SHARE for Dementia are so important. SHARE is evidence-based care-planning program that empowers adults with early-stage dementia to proactively plan for the future through discussions about symptoms, care values and preferences, and healthy activities.

SHARE is currently recruiting Black and African American participants aged 50 and older who have memory changes or a dementia diagnosis — along with a care partner — to take part in virtual sessions that foster open discussion about living with dementia and caregiving.

Participating in programs like SHARE not only gives families access to supportive conversation and shared experiences but also helps researchers and clinicians better understand the needs, perspectives and strengths of Black caregiving dyads. By joining these efforts, participants help shape how future resources, interventions and culturally responsive care are developed.

If you or someone you know is interested in participating in SHARE or learning more, visit: https://institute.benrose.org/share-recruit/