There are several parts of the world where psychogeriatrics is still not
fully developed. These include Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, former
Eastern Bloc countries, and much of Asia; the same is true among minority
cultures around the world. Although many of these countries are poorly
developed economically, others are economically strong.
An IPA committee on Diverse Cultures was formed in 1995 at IPA's Seventh
Congress in Sydney. The group approved a declaration on "Cultural and Mental
Health of Elders" under the slogan "One World, Diverse Cultures," that had
been prepared by Abdel Ashour (Egypt). In the document, attention was drawn to
the need for maximum cultural sensitivity in health care of the elderly and
for greater appreciation of the richness inherent in many of the traditions of
diverse cultures. One of the proposed actions was that a data collection
project on culture and mental health of the elderly be started (using
literature review, special research, etc.), with a view toward establishing a
"culture bank."
Other suggestions from those attending the meeting included the following:
Membership could be increased by identifying a key person in each
country, and by writing to nonmembers attending IPA meetings.
Countries could be sponsored for IPA membership.
Assessment of cognitive functions for elderly people in diverse cultures
is difficult but urgently needed. In some parts of the world adequate
methodology is unavailable; in other parts, efforts are being duplicated.
Perhaps a list of available instruments could be made available to potential
researchers.
The effect of medications on minority cultures must be addressed as most
clinical trials are conducted on majority cultures.
Networking and establishing communication between scientists around the
world is urgently needed.
Care of the elderly in diverse cultures is an emerging issue and must be
addressed as a special topic.
The IPA Board of Directors understands the need for attention to
psychogeriatrics in diverse cultures and is supportive of activities to
address that need. In targeting regions underserved with psychogeriatric
services, IPA has already launched two major initiatives - one for Southeast
Asia and one for Latin
America.
For more information about the work of the Southeast Asia Initiative,
contact:
Vijay Chandra, MD Director Centre for Ageing Research, India
F-1/3 Vasant Vihar New Delhi 110 057 India 91 11.614.3888
91 11.614.8167 vijay@cari.ernet.in
Vijay Chandra, MD, an IPA director, is the Director of the Centre for
Ageing Research in New Delhi. He has served as Chair of the Section of
Neuroepidemiology of the American Academy of Neurology and as an Executive
Committee Member of the Research group on Dementia of the World Federation of
Neurology. Dr. Chandra has been engaged in a cross-cultural study of
Alzheimer's disease to determine if the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease
varies in different cultures.
Copyright 2012 International Psychogeriatric Association
Vijay Chandra, MD, an IPA director, is the Director of the Centre for
Ageing Research in New Delhi. He has served as Chair of the Section of
Neuroepidemiology of the American Academy of Neurology and as an Executive
Committee Member of the Research group on Dementia of the World Federation of
Neurology. Dr. Chandra has been engaged in a cross-cultural study of
Alzheimer's disease to determine if the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease
varies in different cultures.