Dementia is also becoming an increasingly relevant issue for older people from migrant backgrounds and their families. As the condition progresses, dementia patients tend to lose their ability to speak a foreign language, in this case the language of their host country Germany that they have acquired over time. This often results in problems communicating with doctors and care staff. Furthermore, potential taboos around the disorder within the families may lead to patients not taking advantage of support services. This, in turn, can lead to social withdrawal and isolation. The German social and healthcare system as well as the affected families are ill equipped to face this challenge. We want to help provide patients in Germany and their families with better information about dementia and to support them in finding and using support services.
