Cross-cultural functional assessment for dementia: A commentary

Objective: Dementia diagnosis relies on assessing functional decline, yet widely used assessment tools are often developed in Euro-American contexts, limiting their cross-cultural validity. This commentary highlights key challenges in functional assessment across cultures and proposes a framework for enhancing their applicability and equity.

Method: We critically examine methodological limitations in current functional assessment tools, including poor cultural adaptability, inadequate validation processes, and limited stakeholder engagement. Drawing on existing literature, we propose a multidimensional framework integrating cultural perceptions, robust adaptation strategies, and participatory approaches to improve assessment relevance.

Conclusions: Functional assessments must balance cultural specificity with broad applicability to ensure accurate dementia detection across diverse populations. Identifying transcultural markers of functional decline, engaging local communities, and systematically adapting tools through rigorous validation will enhance their diagnostic utility. A culturally inclusive approach to functional assessment can reduce disparities in dementia diagnosis and care worldwide.