Alzheimer's Disease Underdiagnosed In Indian Country

About 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, the latest statistics suggest, and it's probably about as common on Native American reservations as anywhere else. But a diagnosis in Indian Country is rarer, say mental health workers. That's likely at least partly because of a cultural belief — many Native American communities don't recognize dementia as a disorder.

"In fact, many tribal communities do not have a word for dementia," says Dr. Anna Burke, a geriatric psychiatrist and specialist in dementia care at Banner Alzheimer's Institute, in Phoenix, which runs an outreach program to Native American communities in the Southwest and beyond.

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