Dementia Care in the Philippines

Résumé fourni par la source

Dementia is a growing concern in the Philippines, a neurodegenerative condition affecting cognition, behaviour, and functionality, placing burdens on patients, families, and the healthcare system. With the elderly population expected to double, the country faces unique challenges in dementia care, including limited healthcare access, cultural myths associating dementia with normal ageing, financial constraints, and communication barriers in its archipelagic, multilingual context. Though policies like the ‘Republic Acts’ aim to support dementia patients, gaps remain in national programs, services, and awareness. An interprofessional care approach is emerging, particularly in urban specialty centres, involving neurologists, geriatricians, psychologists, rehabilitation professionals, and social workers, among others. Academic programs now incorporate interprofessional training, fostering collaborative dementia management. Culturally, elder care remains family-centred, though institutionalisation through retirement homes is gaining traction. The implementation of comprehensive national policies, expansion of healthcare access, and culturally sensitive interventions are essential to providing equitable dementia care for Filipinos.

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