Comparative analysis of dementia and ethnicity in the New South Wales Aged Care Assessment Program: 1996 and 2001

Objective: To compare assessment and dementia rates for different client countries of birth in the New South Wales Aged Care Assessment Program (NSW ACAP). Methods: The NSW ACAP Minimum Data Set and Australian Bureau of Statistics census data were used to calculate age‐standardised assessment and dementia rates for different client groups based on country of birth. Characteristics of people with dementia were examined to explore reasons for variation by ethnicity. Results: ACAP assessment and dementia rates for people from several overseas‐born groups in this study were significantly lower than those for Australian‐born clients ( P < 0.05). Statistical differences were maintained for 1996 and 2001. Characteristics of those with dementia and born overseas were significantly different from Australian‐born clients. Conclusions: Australian‐born ACAP clients have higher assessment and dementia rates than many overseas‐born groups. Further examination of reasons for these differences is required to ensure equity of access to services for all aged people.