In a community-based dementia study of African Americans age 65 and older living in Indianapolis, key informants were asked to assess the types of personality change in all subjects. Information was also collected on demographic factors, cognitive functioning, physical well-being, and medical illness. Twenty-nine percent of subjects without dementia had reported personality change. Reports of personality change were significantly associated with being male, having poor daily functioning scores, suffering from physical disability, and having a history of cancer.