Specialist dementia nursing charity, Dementia UK, has grown its dementia clinics support for families from the Chinese communities living in the UK with a brand-new nationwide service.
People from the Chinese and South East Asian communities will now be able to book a virtual or telephone appointment with a dementia specialist Admiral nurse, delivering culturally tailored support. The service will offer practical and emotional advice on all aspects of dementia – from worries about symptoms through to getting a diagnosis and understanding how the condition can progress.
The expansion of the service follows the successful launch of the charity’s first-of-its-kind clinics service based in London in 2022, in partnership with Chinese Welfare Trust. The service continues to support families with dementia from Chinese-speaking communities across five London boroughs. Since established, it has supported around 139 carers and 120 people living with dementia through more than 540 appointments.
Just under half a million people who identify as Chinese or Chinese-British are living in the UK1. According to a recent survey with participants from the Chinese communities living in the UK, many noted that they would find it hard to talk to someone with dementia and that they would not feel comfortable telling people outside their close family if they were to be diagnosed with it 1. Getting culturally appropriate support can be challenging for families living with dementia from Chinese communities because of stigma surrounding the condition and the lack of culturally appropriate dementia resources and services.
The expanded service will be led by Chinese Communities Admiral Nurse Emily Lui, who previously led the charity’s Chinese Welfare Trust Clinics in London. Admiral Nurse Kay Cheung will also be joining the service. They both have a wealth of experience supporting families living with dementia from Chinese communities and can speak both Cantonese and Mandarin.
Emily Lui, Chinese Communities Admiral Nurse, said: “It has been a privilege working alongside families from the Chinese communities in the UK to deliver specialist dementia support. I have witnessed first-hand the impact that this tailored support can have in reassuring people from these communities that they are not alone and that help is available for them. I’m so pleased that we will now be able to bring this vital lifeline to more people across the country.”
Kay Cheung, Chinese Communities Admiral Nurse, said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Dementia UK as an Admiral Nurse supporting families from the Chinese communities in the UK. Unfortunately, in Chinese and Southeast Asian cultures there is huge stigma and taboo around dementia which can create challenges when seeking support, leading to delays and poorer health outcomes. Through this service, we aim to help families living with dementia understand that there is a life beyond diagnosis and that there is no shame in seeking help.”
Dr Hilda Hayo, Chief Admiral Nurse and Chief Executive at Dementia UK said: “We are so pleased to be expanding the support we offer for families from the Chinese communities in the UK and are delighted to welcome Kay Cheung to the Admiral Nurse team.
“This service is a significant step for us in moving towards bridging the gap in care for people with dementia from underserved communities in the UK. We know that there are many obstacles that families from Chinese communities face when seeking care for their loved ones. We hope that with this service, they are able to access the culturally-appropriate support they need.”
Appointments are free to book and are available up to one month in advance. Clinic days are every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You can visit the website for more information: https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/how-we-can-support-you/admiral-nurse-clinics/chinese-clinic/
Dementia UK also has a range of leaflets available in simplified and traditional Chinese for further guidance and support, visit: https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/resources/our-leaflets/information-leaflets-in-other-languages/
