ABSTRACT

This chapter examines issues related to the detection and assessment of dementia within American Indian populations. It begins with a discussion of prevalence and risk factors for dementia in Native populations. Indigenous perspectives on dementia are highlighted, as well as possible impacts of these perspectives on diagnosis and treatment. The chapter then focuses on challenges related to assessing cognitive functioning among American Indians, including differences in culture, educational attainment, language, and biases in existing cognitive norms and assessment instruments. The chapter concludes with an examination of the current state of research with respect to developing culturally relevant cognitive assessments and a discussion of remaining research gaps.