SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
The OECD Health Working Paper No. 190 titled ‘Policies for people with dementia across OECD countries’ provides a comprehensive review of dementia policies across member nations, highlighting that in 2023, approximately 61 per 1,000 people aged 65+ were living with dementia. While 30 out of 38 OECD countries have established national dementia strategies, the report underscores a critical shift toward prevention, with 79% of these strategies targeting modifiable risk factors like physical inactivity and social isolation. As pharmacological treatments remain limited and costly, the focus is increasingly on early diagnosis and non-pharmacological interventions to manage this growing public health crisis.
Diagnostic Gaps and Technological Innovation
Primary Care Challenges: General Practitioners (GPs) remain the first point of contact, but they often lack the specialized training and diagnostic tools required for early detection.
Emerging Tools: Breakthroughs in blood-based biomarkers and AI-driven diagnostic tools show significant promise in reducing reliance on specialists and improving diagnostic accuracy.
Financial Incentives: Several countries are introducing financial incentives and standardized guidelines to encourage GPs to prioritize early dementia screening.
Care Coordination and Caregiver Support
Case Management: Effective post-diagnostic care is hampered by fragmentation; however, 16 OECD countries have now implemented dedicated case management to coordinate health and social services.
Non-Pharmacological First-Line: Cognitive stimulation therapy, physical exercise, and music therapy are increasingly prioritized over limited medication options.
The Caregiver Burden: Informal caregivers face immense physical and financial strain; while 29 countries offer some form of respite care, most support remains general rather than dementia-specific.
Support Frameworks: Policy interventions include cash transfers, training programs, and psychological counseling, but accessibility varies significantly across regions.
What is ‘Case Management’ in dementia care and why is it becoming a policy priority? It is a collaborative process that assesses, plans, and coordinates a person’s health and social care needs through a single point of contact. In dementia care, case management is critical because the disease requires long-term, multi-disciplinary support—ranging from medical treatment to home help and financial advice. Without a dedicated coordinator, patients and families often struggle to navigate fragmented systems, leading to delayed treatments and higher rates of emergency hospitalizations. By integrating these services, policymakers aim to improve the quality of life for patients while reducing the overall cost to the healthcare system.
Policy Relevance
With a rapidly aging population and high levels of undiagnosed dementia, India can leverage these global insights to build a resilient, community-centered care model.
Strategic Impact:
Scaling Prevention Programs: India can adapt OECD strategies to target modifiable risk factors like obesity and social isolation through public health campaigns.
Empowering Primary Health Centers (PHCs): Introducing diagnostic guidelines and AI-assisted screening at the PHC level can overcome the severe shortage of geriatricians in rural areas.
Integrating Traditional Wisdom: Evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions like physical exercise and music therapy can be integrated into existing community wellness programs.
Formalizing Caregiver Support: Given India’s heavy reliance on informal family care, implementing respite care and training is vital to prevent caregiver burnout and household poverty.
Reducing Social Stigma: National awareness initiatives are needed to correct the misconception that dementia is a “normal” part of aging, encouraging families to seek earlier medical help.
Follow the full report here: Policies for people with dementia across OECD countries