Table 2.

Barriers to help-seeking for memory problems

	Frequency
Individual
Lack of acknowledgement that there is a problem due to:
Fear of institutionalisation	5
Lack of language to describe problems	4
Denial from individual	3
Fear of the diagnosis itself	3
Unwillingness to challenge family hierarchy	2
Wish to maintain position in society	1
Lack of communication	2
Believing that memory problems are due to:
Old age	9
Social isolation/stressors	9
Psychological cause/mental illness	6
Another physical illness	2
Spiritual cause	1
Feeling that responsibility for getting better lies with:
The individual themselves	2
The family	1
God	1
Societal
Perceived stigma of mental illness	10
Stigma of cognitive symptoms	6
Expectation that family should look after their own as long as possible	4
Feeling that dementia is a dangerous illness	2
Healthcare system
Not knowing what help is available	10
Feeling nothing can be done	4
Language barrier	3
Lack of culturally appropriate help	2
Feeling that the diagnosis itself can never be certain	1
Perception that general practitioners:
Do not have enough time in consultations	5
Are not useful as a first point of contact	3
Would not take concerns seriously	3
Would say that memory problems are due to old age	2