Dementia care: international perspectives.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

As awareness of dementia increases, internationally derived knowledge and information about dementia care and practice can be helpful to improve the care of people with dementia and their families. It can serve as a stimulus to develop new ideas for the provision of such care.

RECENT FINDINGS

An international survey of 47 countries has shown a high degree of national interest and commitment to dementia treatment and care. In each, a local dementia expert provided a bespoke narrative about the care and treatment of people with dementia, a review of national policies and a glimpse as to what the future holds. The detailed results have been published in book form and are summarized here.

SUMMARY

The majority of countries have made national attempts to estimate the number of people with dementia, have licenced antidementia drugs and have the support of a national Alzheimer's association with a website containing independent advice. More than half have a national plan targeted at the development of care and in a further quarter, the development of such plans is in progress. There appears to have been a great increase in interest and awareness of dementia in the last few years.