A qualitative study into the care & support experiences of individuals from African Caribbean backgrounds with diagnosis of dementia, living in Wales

The multifaceted paradigm of diversity, across language, culture and religious beliefs within Black,
Asian, Ethnic Minority (BAME) populations suggest that experiences of dementia vary across BAME
populations. Moriarty, Sharif &Robinson, (2011). However, national and regional dementia policies
have not significantly impacted the current barriers to appropriate dementia care for BAME
populations, resulting in under- representation and homogenising within the development of
dementia care policies and service provision. Truswell (2011).
This study will focus specifically on persons with dementia, living in Wales, who identify as African
Caribbean. The term African Caribbean Person/African Caribbean Population/ African Caribbean
People (ACP) will be used to represent individuals who identify as belonging to the above-mentioned
ethnic backgrounds. ACP make up 0.6% of the population of Wales, residing in urban areas of
Swansea, Cardiff and Newport. Office of National Statistics, (ONS), (2011).
A search of the literature revealed discussion of ACP with dementia, rather than large scale research
and these discussions were limited to briefing papers by Alzheimer's Society, Dementia UK and Race
Equality Foundation. ACP with dementia was often defined as homogenous or interchangeable with
BAME with dementia. In my literature review, I have not found any research into dementia
specifically, from the context of ACP living in Wales. As such, there is a gap in our knowledge of the
ACP context of dementia within Wales.