Sustainable Improvements in Dementia Care for an Expectably Increasing Number of Dementia People: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Background: Aging, low literacy, and vascular risk factors are agents to boost or maintain the numbers, with more and more elevated costs for informal caregivers and society. Widely public health priority recognition implies changes and challenges in some European countries involving political engagement, needs that in dementia care are unmet. A preliminary diagnosis of the gaps and a prioritization of strategies to be implemented in Portugal should be addressed. The World Health Organization framework for meaningful engagement could work, as it has already done for other chronic diseases to reach some of the goals to improve healthcare. Methods: A review of the current situation and some of the initiatives delivered through healthcare professionals with recognized experience in dementia areas and patients’ associations, in a South Europe country over the last few years. In view of the remaining gaps, proposals from the literature will be provided to improve care experiences. Conclusion: We defend that is essential that Portugal deepen patient-centered care, integrated care pathways, and equal access for rural or marginalized populations to specialist assessment for an early diagnosis. Improving the quality of dementia care in care homes or managing a dementia care program to link resources for patients and caregivers, are key themes that need proactive preparation for the coming years. We present 8 recommendations for dementia care in Portugal.