Dementia linked with 'greater stigma' in Britain than US
A new study suggests that older people in the UK are less willing to be screened for dementia than those in the US because they are concerned about the stigma of diagnosis.
Previous research by the Alzheimer's Society has revealed that half of UK adults believe dementia to be a condition plagued by stigma.
Now, scientists have surveyed 120 older people in Kent and a further 125 in Indianapolis to discover their opinions on dementia screening.
The survey, which is reported in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, revealed that British people were more likely to be concerned about the stigma of diagnosis, their potential loss of independence and their chances of emotional suffering than Americans.
Dr Malaz Boustani, assistant professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine, commented: "From my prospective, it was a genuine surprise that having a universal healthcare system, which provides services and support to all those who need it, didn't protect from perceived stigma and negativity."
Chris Fox, who led the British arm of the research at the University of Kent, said that the study should help to develop improved pathways for dementia care.
He added: "We hope the United Kingdom's Dementia Strategy published in the next few months will consider some of this study's findings."