2024 Alzheimer's Association Research Fellowship to Promote Diversity (AARF-D)

Early Dementia Detection in Vietnamese Speaking Populations in Primary Care

How can a Vietnamese-American community help promote timely dementia diagnoses for their older members?

Kris Pui Kwan Ma, Ph.D.
University of Washington
Seattle, WA - United States

Background

Because Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, it is important to detect the changes a person may be experiencing at its early stages. Studies, however, indicate that Alzheimer’s is often detected at a more advanced stage in Asian Americans, compared with other population groups. This discrepancy could hinder the ability of Asian Americans, including Vietnamese Americans, from receiving optimal dementia care and lower their quality of life. 

Vietnamese Americans are especially affected by delayed Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Because many older people in this community are foreign born, language barriers may be a contributor to this disparity. Vietnamese Americans often report a lack of good communication with their health care providers, which may prevent an accurate assessment of their cognitive health. In addition, cultural barriers (such as a perceived stigma around the subject of dementia) may also play a role in delayed diagnosis. There is a need, therefore, for strategies to provide Vietnamese Americans with bilingual, culturally-appropriate health care resources that will help them begin to discuss their cognitive health and, if necessary, seek a professional diagnosis.

Research Plan

Dr. Kris Pui Kwan Ma and colleagues plan to develop a strategy for a Vietnamese-American community in Washington state. First, they will recruit older Vietnamese Americans with mild Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment (MCI, a condition of subtle memory loss that may precede dementia), as well as their care partners. They will then interview the participants to assess any challenges from their lived experience while seeking a cognitive diagnosis. They will also identify any unmet needs surrounding the diagnostic process. Next, using this information, Dr. Ma’s group will spearhead a “user-centered design” effort to prepare “resource guides” (culturally-sensitive, bilingual products that offer information about dementia diagnosis and treatment). The guides will be developed by a team that includes a researchers, local participants and caregivers, and community representatives. Lastly, the investigators will recruit older Vietnamese-speaking participants and their caregivers to assess the value of the guides for their community.             

Impact

Dr. Ma’s project could help clarify many factors that prevent Asian-American communities from receiving a timely dementia diagnosis. It could also yield novel, cost-effective resources for combatting this discrepancy and promoting the health and well-being of Asian Americans at risk of dementia and their caregivers.