ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the challenges associated with cross-cultural assessment of dementia and depression, speaks about the implications of language, culture, and educational bias on commonly used dementia and depression screening tools. It provides examples of cross-culturally validated screening tools for dementia and depression that can be used in primary care. Barriers to communication between clinicians, patients, and caregivers with migrant backgrounds may lead to poor expression and recognition of symptoms of dementia and depression. Performance on cognitive tools is one of the most important pieces of data considered in the clinical evaluation of dementia. Empirical findings have repeatedly shown that higher education is associated with better performance on most kinds of cognitive tests. Diagnostic criteria for dementia include functional impairment in social and occupational functioning, usually referred to as activities of daily living, as one of the requirements. Most commonly used cognitive screening tools suffer from cultural, language, and educational test bias.
