Dementia: Cultural Perceptions, Stereotypes, And Myths
Dementia is a condition you may have heard about in the media, news, or popular culture, but how much of what you’ve heard is true? Although dementia research continues to progress, it often remains shrouded in stereotypes, myths, and misconceptions. These can create challenges for people with dementia and make it harder for them to seek care. To better understand this complex illness, it may help to take a closer look at some of these cultural misconceptions. For example, many believe that dementia cannot be treated. While a cure doesn’t currently exist for dementia, various treatments, including therapy, can reduce dementia symptoms and improve a person’s quality of life.
What is dementia?
Dementia can be defined as a group of symptoms with various causes, like illnesses and injuries, that affect the brain, leading to changes in a person’s thinking, communication, memory, personality, and more. According to the World Health Organization, dementia is considered one of the leading causes of death and disability among older adults, with more than 55 million people living with it worldwide.
Common signs of people living with dementia
Symptoms of dementia can look different depending on the person and the cause. That said, some of the most common signs include the following:
- Memory loss
- Trouble communicating and expressing thoughts
- Mood swings, depression, and anxiety
- Changes in personality
- Inappropriate behavior
- Trouble with movement and balance
- A loss of interest in activities and relationships
Dementia tends to be progressive. This means its symptoms might be mild at first, but they often worsen over time. When a person first develops dementia, they might notice subtle changes in their memory, mood, or ability to do daily tasks. As dementia progresses, people tend to need higher levels of personal and medical care. By the late stages, it can be common to need ongoing dementia care to do basic tasks like eating, bathing, and going to the bathroom.
Dementia: Cultural perceptions vs. reality
Through the work of medical and mental health professionals, our understanding of dementia continues to grow. That said, dementia can still be the subject of misunderstandings. From cultural representations of dementia as a life-ruining illness to media popularizing dementia “cures” and “foolproof” prevention strategies, there can be a lot of myths to sift through.
Clearing up dementia cultural perceptions and myths
To address this, it may help to clear up some of the most common cultural misunderstandings about dementia.
Myth: Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are the same thing
Reality: Media and popular culture often use the terms “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” interchangeably. This can be a common misunderstanding. The term “dementia” typically describes a group of similar but separate conditions. Although Alzheimer’s may be the most common type, there are several other forms of dementia, including those listed below:
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Lewy body dementia
- Vascular dementia
- Mixed dementia
Each of these forms of dementia usually has a slightly different cause. For example, Lewy body dementia is normally caused by a buildup of protein in the brain, while vascular dementia can be caused by issues with blood flow to the brain.
Myth: Dementia only affects older people
Reality: Dementia is often thought of as a condition that only affects older adults. While it’s true that dementia often starts later in life, younger people can develop it, too. According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, around one in 1,000 people under age 65 develops dementia. This is known as “young-onset dementia” or “early-onset dementia.”
Myth: People with dementia can’t think, learn, communicate, or enjoy life
Reality: A dementia diagnosis is often seen as a “death sentence.” Some scholars have even argued that the word “dementia” has become a cultural metaphor for doom and despair.
In 2020, researchers analyzed several decades’ worth of details on dementia in popular culture. They noted that in cultural depictions, people with dementia are often portrayed as severely impaired with no quality of life. This may lead people to worry that their life is “over” after a dementia diagnosis.
In reality, it is often possible for people with dementia to live meaningful and enjoyable lives. Person-centered care practices can empower individuals to make decisions about their health care and level of independence while accounting for cultural differences and preferences.
Lifestyle changes like exercise, meaningful hobbies, and social interaction can also raise the quality of life of people with dementia.
Myth: It’s possible to cure or prevent dementia
Reality: You may have encountered products and services claiming to cure or prevent dementia. It’s true that you may be able to lower your risk of dementia by living a healthy lifestyle and staying mentally active. However, while these steps can be helpful, they aren’t necessarily a guarantee. Other factors, like age and genetics, may also play a role in dementia risk. While lifestyle changes may also help people who have dementia, there is currently no treatment that can reverse it.
Myth: Dementia & Alzheimer’s disease are untreatable
Reality: Even though dementia can’t currently be cured, it can often be managed with proper medical intervention. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, certain medications may reduce dementia symptoms and slow the progression of the illness. By getting an early diagnosis, you may be able to start treatment and maintain your brain health for as long as possible.
Certain types of therapy may also be helpful for people with dementia. For example, cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) typically uses group or individual activities to improve concentration, memory, and communication skills. Cognitive rehabilitation is another type of therapy that may be helpful. It typically focuses on preserving life skills while honing memory and attention.
Online therapy for dementia and other mental health conditions
Staying consistent may help people with dementia get the most out of therapy. This can be easier if you have a therapist with whom you enjoy working. Online therapy platforms like BetterHelp let you change therapists whenever you want, for any reason. This may make it easier to find the right therapist for you.
Research shows that online therapy may help reduce depression, which can be common among people with dementia.
In a 2017 review, researchers looked at details from 373 studies of internet-based therapy. They found that online therapy could be effective at treating depression and other mental health concerns.
Takeaway
How do people living with dementia see other people?
People with dementia tend to see others through the lens of their changing cognitive and emotional experiences. They may view others as sources of support, confusion, or even frustration. Their perceptions of others may depend on their emotional state, clarity of communication, and the attitudes and behaviors of those around them. Caregivers can help encourage positive interactions by anticipating and accommodating the needs of the person with dementia, communicating clearly, and showing patience and empathy.
Why is cultural understanding relevant to dementia care?
Different cultural groups often have different understandings of both dementia and dementia care: In some communities, for example, it’s common for families to place their loved ones in memory care facilities or hire home health aides for support, while in others, cultural traditions surrounding family and mean that younger relatives have traditionally taken on caregiver roles for dementia affected elders.
Indeed, cross cultural research identifies significant differences in caregiving attitudes and practices between communities. For example, Chinese American family caregivers often prefer to provide care at home due to cultural values like family devotion, as well as concerns about the high cost, poor quality of care, and language barriers in facilities.
In South Asian communities, perceptions of dementia vary across age groups: younger adults may be more aware of dementia risk factors and the practical consequences of cognitive decline, while older adults with memory problems may attribute dementia symptoms to lack of sleep or memory problems.
In addition to geographic cultural differences, those that exist within social class identities also influence dementia care. Socioeconomic status affects risk, diagnosis, and access to care, while class distinctions shape how dementia is experienced and understood, emphasizing the need to address these inequalities. Thus, it may be important to consider culturally and linguistically tailored approaches to educating and supporting dementia patients and their families.
How does dementia affect health and wellbeing?
Dementia can cause significant impairments to a person’s mental and physical health. Cognitive decline and memory loss can interfere with a person’s ability to care for themselves, leading to issues with hygiene, medication adherence, and nutrition. Overtime, these challenges can increase vulnerability to infections, physical injuries, and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, further diminishing overall well-being. As such, individuals with dementia require comprehensive care and support.
Why is dementia a global health issue?
While different cultural and ethnic groups may perceive and care for dementia differently, these disorders affect millions worldwide, placing an immense burden on families and healthcare systems alike. Family caregivers often face significant emotional, financial, and physical challenges, while public health programs often struggle to adequately address the needs of dementia patients.
What's the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease?
Dementia is a general term for symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and daily functioning, caused by various conditions. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia, is a specific neurodegenerative disorder marked by brain changes that lead to progressive memory loss and cognitive decline.
What are dementia cultural perceptions around the world?
Research on socio-cultural perceptions of dementia across the globe has found that dementia and aging are viewed differently across cultural contexts. In Western cultures, dementia may be understood as an affliction, while in other parts of the world, dementia and age-related cognitive decline may be seen as a natural part of the aging process.
One study examining dementia stories within the United Kingdom mainstream press describes a “panic-blame discourse,” meaning that they often portray dementia as something to be feared, while also offering overly-simplistic advice to help prevent cognitive decline. These types of dementia stories may create what has been described as a “cultural preoccupation” with memory loss, creating an environment where dementia symptoms are seen as something warranting medical intervention.
Within other cultures, memory loss and cognitive decline may not carry the same stigma or sense of medical urgency. In Africa, for example, research shows that much of the population is not aware of dementia as a medical issue. Instead, dementia care may be handled within the family or community. Younger family members may understand caregiving responsibilities as another aspect of their duty to their family, or the next chapter in a lifelong parent-child relationship.
Attitudes surrounding dementia may also be changing in many parts of the world. In Japan, researchers have identified a shift toward a more accurate and positive understanding of the condition, with fewer people believing that dementia is untreatable. This attitude may be more aligned with current guidelines set forth by organizations such as Alzheimer’s Disease International, which advocate for dementia-friendly communities that are safe, accommodating, and accessible for all.
Which ethnic group is most affected by dementia?
While dementia and related conditions affect diverse communities across the globe, research shows that some populations are more at risk than others. In the United States, Black and Hispanic populations have a higher prevalence of dementia compared to non-Hispanic White populations. This disparity is often linked to factors such as socioeconomic inequities, limited access to healthcare, higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, and systemic barriers to early diagnosis and treatment.
What are risk factors for dementia?
The development of dementia is influenced by a variety of associated risk factors including age, genetics, and lifestyle factors such as poor diet, physical inactivity, and smoking. Chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease also increase the risk. Mental illness, including depression and anxiety, has been linked to a higher likelihood of developing dementia, possibly due to chronic stress and its impact on the brain. Additional factors such as low educational attainment, social isolation, and a history of traumatic brain injury.
What are the perceptions of a dementia patient?
Dementia may be perceived differently across different ages and cultures. A person's social location—that is, their family and culture, geographic region, and age—may influence both how they experience dementia and how others respond to their condition, shaping perceptions of stigma, support, and treatment priorities.
What culture has the least dementia?
Epidemiological studies have found that populations with healthier eating habits, higher levels of physical activity, and strong social support networks tend to have lower rates of dementia. In the developed world, Japan has the lowest rates of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Indigenous populations in the Amazon rainforest also have extremely low dementia rates, likely due to consistent physical activity; high consumption of nutritious, unprocessed foods; strong community ties; and limited exposure to environmental and lifestyle risks associated with urbanized settings.
- Previous Article
- Next Article