What this means
Researchers talked with 32 older adults in a Pueblo community about what dementia means to them. The results suggest care and research may work better when shaped by community views.
Plain-English summary written by an AI model from the abstract. The original is below.
- Who it was tested in
- 32 older American Indian adults in a Pueblo community in New Mexico
- Kind of research
- A study
The science
- Original title
- What does dementia mean to you? Perceptions of dementia and aging among Indigenous older adults living in a Pueblo community.
- Authors
- Edwards K, Ginossar T, Verney SP et al.
- Journal
- Journal of Alzheimer's disease reports
- Published
- Oct 15, 2026
- Study type
- Study
- PMID
- 42876882 ↗
Abstract
Background
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD) are a rapidly growing cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, yet little is known about how these conditions are understood within American Indian (AI) communities. Limited alignment between biomedical models and community conceptualizations may hinder culturally appropriate care and research engagement. This study aimed to explore how aging and dementia are conceptualized among older adults in a Pueblo community, with the goal of informing culturally congruent dementia care, education, and research practices.
What they did
In partnership with a local health and wellness center and tribal government, semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were administered to 32 older AI adults in a Pueblo community in New Mexico. Data were analyzed using thematic qualitative methods to identify perspectives on aging and dementia.
What they found
Dementia was described as memory loss, diminished independence, or altered sense of self. Explanations of causation extended beyond biomedical models to encompass lifestyle, psychological, historical, and environmental factors. Findings underscore the importance of understanding community-specific distinctions between "normal" and "abnormal" aging. Culturally grounded approaches that build trust, reduce uncertainty, and support open dialogue are essential for developing meaningful dementia education, assessment, and care that are community-driven and culturally responsive.
The authors' abstract, grouped under plain headings from its own section labels.
Edwards K, Ginossar T, Verney SP et al. What does dementia mean to you? Perceptions of dementia and aging among Indigenous older adults living in a Pueblo community. Journal of Alzheimer's disease reports. 2026. doi:10.1177/25424823261448577. PMID: 42876882. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42876882/