Kerala is taking the first step towards making dementia care a public health and social welfare priority by establishing a sustainable community-level care model for dementia patients.
An initiative of the Social Welfare Department and the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI), this is perhaps the first time that a State government is taking cognizance of dementia as an issue that needs a specific health strategy, separate from general geriatric care.
Social support system “The State urgently needs to develop social support systems because the burnout of care-givers of dementia patients is emerging as a major issue. Families need better counselling and advice on caring for patients and while home-based care is the best, there are situations when families need support services such as care homes,” Director of Social Welfare V.N. Jithendran says.
The pilot project for dementia care has five distinct components, including creation of comprehensive dementia awareness in the community and equipping doctors, health personnel, and professional care-givers with technical knowledge and personal skills for managing dementia cases.
Funds Funds for the pilot are being found from the budgetary allocation for the welfare of marginalised groups.
“Our focus will be on the quality of care provided and hence, we will pay a lot of attention to developing protocols for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of the demented, as well as standard operating procedures for the care homes. The care model will be evaluated next year so that Budget allocation can be earmarked for further development,” Mr. Jithendran says.
