THE EXPERIENCE OF DEMENTIA IN CHINA

This paper reports the results of a longitudinal study carried out in urban China on the health and mental status of 200 elders 70 years of age or older and focuses on the experience of dementia. While older pe ople and their families are aware of the phenomenon of dementia, it do es not evoke the kind of dread that is common among Americans. This di fferent response can be traced to beliefs about dementia, cultural val ues, and situational features of contemporary Chinese Life.