Access to healthcare services and adherence to treatments for people with dementia among ethnic minority groups: a scoping review

Abstract

Background: Dementia is a leading cause of death among the older population and requires regular engagement with primary care services, monitoring, and specialist support. People with dementia from ethnic minority groups face barriers in accessing adequate healthcare. Factors such as different conceptualisations of dementia, personal beliefs, and cultural backgrounds can influence attitudes to treatments, further increasing health inequalities and worsening health outcomes. This research maps the evidence on access and experiences within primary care services for people with dementia, along with treatment adherence patterns.Methods: A scoping review was conducted in October 2025 on Medline (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), and Google Scholar, with two separate searches on access to care and adherence to treatments. Eligibility criteria were peer-reviewed journal articles, published from 2010 onwards, focusing on people with dementia, and including an analysis of differences among ethnic minority groups. Studies were assessed for quality. Data were synthesised narratively.Results: Seventeen articles were included. People with dementia from ethnic minority groups report lower quality care received. They are less likely to be prescribed and receive anti-dementia medications, and they have lower adherence rates compared to their White counterparts when these medications are prescribed. Identified barriers to access and adherence to treatments include cultural factors, religious beliefs, viewing dementia as a normal part of ageing, stigma, limited language proficiency, inadequate facilities and services not tailored to the specific needs of minority ethnic groups. Conclusion: This research highlights persistent inequalities among people with dementia from ethnic minority groups. More research is needed to address these issues and fully understand the factors influencing access to care services and attitudes towards medications among people with dementia. Policymakers and researchers should emphasise the importance of designing and implementing culturally tailored interventions to reduce these persistent inequalities.