The UK has a long history of migration. Emigration and immigration took place due to various reasons such as British colonialism^1,2, adoption of new policies², work^1,2, or the implementation of the 'Highly Skilled Migrant Program³. Between 1990 and 2019, the migrant population (born abroad) and the proportion of migrants in the total population more than doubled (3.7 to 9.6 million; 6.4 to 14.1%)⁴.

There are 10,500 PwM being 65 years or older. Of those, approx. 63,600 are estimated to exhibit some form of dementia. Calculations show the most affected migrant groups are presumably originating from Ireland (approx. 13,300), India (approx. 9,300), Jamaica (approx. 3,600), Pakistan (approx. 3,300), and Germany (approx. 2,500)⁵.

In the UK, six national dementia plans were identified (three in Scotland, one each in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales). Three further national documents on dementia care were also considered (two from England and one from Northern Ireland). Seven of these nine documents (three from England, two from Scotland, and one each from Northern Ireland and Wales) address migration to varying degrees^6-14. According to contacted experts, three guidelines on care, treatment, and/or support for people with dementia are used in the UK (one each for England and Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland). All three guidelines refer to the topic of migration to varying degrees (two briefly, one in detail)^15-17.

England's healthcare strategy is an integrative one where there is an effort to make ‘mainstream healthcare services’ more acceptable and fitting for minority groups. This is rather done than setting up specialised services for specific groups, although these also exist. Therefore, services for inpatient and outpatient care for people with dementia are nationwide available for migrants. Additionally, there are organisations providing culturally specific information on dementia. Still, existing care services for people with dementia are not fitting for migrants. Measures to provide intercultural care are locally in development.

Culturally sensitive care is part of healthcare professionals’ qualification nationwide. There are published professional standards for nurses and care workers and they specify what competence criteria are required for people to practice in dementia or old age care and they outline what is needed to provide a holistic, person-centred as well as culturally sensitive care.The proportion of professional caregivers with a migration background in inpatient and outpatient care is high in big cities. Due to low qualification and education, cultural needs in care are not being met.

Family, religious communities, migrant organisations, as well as inpatient and outpatient care services, are very important in supporting family caregivers of migrants with dementia. There are major differences in the suitability and utilisation of existing services by family caregivers of migrants with dementia and non-migrants with dementia. Accordingly, there is a very high need for specialised services providing support and information in England.