Emerging Problem of Dementia and Challenges of Care Services

Abstract

Longevity and changing life styles have made “Dementia” a problem rife among the elderly with increased reporting of early onset dementias in India. The number of affected people (5.29 million) is daunting and scarce services to meet the rising demands add to the challenges. The helpline calls have gone up by 100% in the last seven years. The calls mostly seeking support for managing dementia, training of family care givers and increased requirement of professional care facilities confirm that dementia is now a pressing health priority in India. The Dementia India Report 2010 brought out by the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India highlighted the scarcity of services. While diagnosis is estimated at a very low 10%, treatment and care facilities are negligible. Lack of trained professionals to diagnose treat and mange dementia is a key issue to be addressed holistically. Family care is the most common and the immediate care giver/ family member faces physical, social and economic burdens. The Kerala State Initiative on Dementia (KSID) is a good beginning, with a joint collaboration between the Kerala Social welfare department, Kerala Social Security Mission and ARDSI. KSID is mandated to set up day care centres and fulltime care centres in all districts and equip the health and social workers to get trained in identifying and managing persons with dementia. ARDSI is advocating for a National Plan for comprehensive care through a structured strategy, action plan and allocation of resources to address this emerging need holistically.