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Diagnosis, treatment, and care

WHO/Cathy Greenblat

Dementia is associated with complex needs and high levels of dependency and morbidity in its later stages, requiring a range of health and social care, including long-term care services. A diagnosis is the first step to accessing these services.

 

The needs and preferences of people with dementia can be met and their autonomy from diagnosis to the end of life respected through integrated, culturally appropriate, person-centred, community-based health, psychosocial, long-term care and support and, where appropriate, the inputs of families and carers. The critical importance of early diagnosis is reflected in target 4 of the Global dementia action plan setting the goal of having in at least 50% of countries, the diagnostic rate for dementia of at least 50%.

Scaling up care for mental, neurological and substance use disorders: mhGAP

Key figures

Dementia diagnosis:
1 in 3
GDO countries are able to report on dementia diagnostic rate
Access to services:
Up to 51%
higher access to community-based services in HICs' rural areas than in LMICs
Dementia training for health professionals:
Up to 6
times more frequent across HICs

Dementia diagnostic rate

Table
Indicator name:
Availability of dementia diagnostic rate
Indicator Id:
5083
Rationale:
Dementia is associated with complex needs and high levels of dependency and morbidity in its later stages, requiring a range of health and social care, including long-term care services. A diagnosis is the first step to accessing these services.
Definition:
Indicates (yes/no) if data is available on the dementia diagnostic rate. The dementia diagnostic rate is defined as the proportion of the estimated number of older people (60+ years) living with dementia in the country who have a dementia diagnosis with the number of people predicted to have dementia based on population prevalence estimates.
Method of estimation:
Coverage: All persons living with dementia aged 60+ years. Reference period: Most recent calendar year for which data are available. This will serve as the 'reference' year. Numerator: The best estimate of the total number of persons diagnosed with dementia in the reference year. If available, provide numerator cases by age and sex cohorts, including the following age groups: 60-64 years; 65-69 years; 70-74 years; 75-79 years; 80-84 years; 85-89 years; 90+ years. Denominator: The estimated total number of people with dementia aged 60 years and over during the reference year. If available, please provide denominator cases by age and sex cohorts, including the following age groups: 60-64 years; 65-69 years; 70-74 years; 75-79 years; 80-84 years; 85-89 years; 90+ years. Alternatively, the denominator will be based on WHO prevalence estimates
Data Type Representation:
Numerical
IMRID:
5083
Original Submeasure:
What is your country's dementia diagnostic rate?
Indicator Metadata Registry List

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