Utilization of Alzheimer's disease community resources by Asian-Americans in California.

Alzheimer's disease is as prevalent among Asian ethnic minority groups as among Caucasians. We explored Asian groups' utilization of available Alzheimer's disease services in California, using a uniquely large sample of Asian-Americans. The Minimum Uniform Dataset includes data from nine California Alzheimer's Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centers. Of the 9,451 cases included in the Minimum Utilizable Dataset, 4.2% were Asian (primarily Chinese), 0.8% Filipino, 0.3% Pacific Islander, and 75.9% Caucasian. In comparison to their numbers within the nine California countries served, Asian ethnic elders were underrepresented in enrollment by approximately 50%, except at one center where all staff were bilingual. The centers referred a significantly greater proportion of Asian than Caucasian patients for financial help (47.8 vs. 7.4%, P < 0.001), case management (47.8 vs. 22.3%, P < 0.001), and to Alzheimer's disease day care (41.3 vs. 28.4%, P < 0.05). A significantly greater proportion of Asian caregivers received referrals to caregiver resource centers (32.6 vs. 61.3%, P < 0.001) and financial help (29.6 vs. 4.7%, P < 0.001). A smaller proportion of Asian patients received referrals to home health services than Caucasians (4.3 vs. 14.9%, P < 0.05). Filipino patients were also referred more frequently to financial assistance than Caucasians (P < 0.05). Asians and Pacific Islanders under-enroll at centers specializing in AD care. Bilingual staff at centers specializing in dementia care, training for community physicians who treat these patients, and establishment of caregiver support groups within Asian and Pacific Islander communities may enhance the enrollment of these elders. AD care centers in areas supporting Asian and Filipino families may need to concentrate resources on providing financial assistance in case management. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.