Closing the Gap: Cultural Pathways to Cognitive Care

Many people notice changes in their memory or thinking as they get older—like occasionally forgetting where they put their keys, struggling to find a word, or feeling less sharp than before. These experiences are called Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD). How people understand, talk about, and respond to these changes can differ greatly depending on cultural background, life experiences, and access to healthcare. This study aims to explore those differences across different cultural and ethnic groups. By learning more about these experiences, we hope to help healthcare providers offer better, more culturally appropriate support.

If you choose to participate, you will be asked to complete three brief questionnaires about your memory and thinking, your mood, and some background information. This will take approximately an hour. You will be compensated for your time even if you do not finish.

Based on your responses to this phase, you may be invited to participate in a interview where you will be asked to share your thoughts and experiences related to cognitive changes, and to respond to three short scenarios describing different levels of memory difficulty. This phase is entirely voluntary and separate compensation will be provided.

This study involves minimal risk. Some questions touch on personal experiences with memory, aging, or healthcare, which a small number of people may find emotionally sensitive. You may skip any question you prefer not to answer, and you may stop at any time without any consequences.

While there is no direct clinical benefit to participating, your responses will contribute to research that may improve how healthcare providers identify and support people experiencing cognitive concerns — particularly in communities that have historically been underserved.

Sessions can be completed locally at the University of Washington or via remote HIPPA protected Zoom sessions.

Participant Eligibility

Must be 50 years of age or older
Must self-identify as belonging to predominantly one of the following racial/ethnic groups: Black or African American, Latinx or Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native, White
Must demonstrate English proficiency via basic conversational fluency

Contact

Tamar Nir
(206) 616-8559