Black African and Caribbean elders develop dementia earlier than their White counterparts, but often delay help-seeking until crisis point. Delaying help-seeking has negative effects on future outcomes for patients and carers as it reduces access to treatment, care and support, independent living, and quality of life. 
To find out the perceptions and beliefs that influence people’s decisions to seek – or not to seek – help from their GP when they notice signs suggestive of dementia, like memory problems, the University College London facilitated several focus groups and interviews with members of the Black community in Greater London and the South East. The information gathered informed the content and design of an educational public health resource, entitled: ‘Getting help for forgetfulness’.
The ‘Getting help for forgetfulness’ leaflet was co-designed with patients and carers, and clinical dementia experts to encourage timely help-seeking for memory problems amongst Black elders. It draws on situations and concerns that members of the Black community have told us they experience about getting help for forgetfulness. It contains useful advice about overcoming difficulties in gaining help and information for memory problems.
University College London trialled the leaflet in patients without a diagnosis of dementia in several GP practices and they found it a useful and effective resource to help Black elders with memory concerns access help and support.
For further information or to order free copies for your organisations, email Moïse Roche at: [email protected].