1. Chairperson, Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India
India Dementia Strategy International Conference of ADI London, March 8th 2012
Meera Pattabiraman
Chairperson, Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India

2. Agenda Dementia – A Significant Challenge in India
Importance of Advocacy in Dealing with Dementia
Dementia India Report
Recommendations to Indian Government
Key Achievements till Date
Learning for Other Associations

3. Dementia in India: The Numbers are Daunting
Number of People with Dementia in India
(Million)
Over 3.7 million people with dementia in 2010
Number expected to double by 2030
Only ~10% of cases are diagnosed
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
2030
2035
2040
2045
2050

4. Cost Burden on Indian Society is Huge
Dementia Care in India – Total Societal Costs (USD Billion)
Total cost per person with dementia is USD 925 per annum; per capita income is ~USD 1,500
In comparison, annual cost per person with diabetes is ~USD and epilepsy is ~USD 450
Informal dementia care cost in urban India nearly 2.5 times that of rural India
1.9 (56%)
3.4 (100%)
0.5 (15%)
1.0 (29%)
Direct Medical CostDirect Medical Cost
Direct Societal CostDirect Societal Cost
Informal Care CostInformal Care Cost
Total Cost to SocietyTotal Cost to Society

5. Advocacy: The Need of the Hour
Lack of policies and programmes to address challenges
Inadequate dementia identification facilities and tools
Extremely low dementia awareness levels
Need for Advocacy in India
Scarce funding for dementia services, research and training
Insufficient dementia care facilities
Limited formal training for professional carers and family

6. Dementia India Report: Background
Initiative to meet the challenge of growing number of persons with dementia in India
Meetings held across India – in Delhi, Mumbai, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Kolkata, Trivandrum – from Jan 2009 to Mar 2010
Presentations, group discussions by all stakeholders – Caregivers, Public, Doctors, Government, Policy Makers, Health Associations
Collation of presentations and group discussions

7. Dementia India Report: Methodology
Jan, 2009 – Mar, 2010
Review of dementia research and literature
Review of other country reports – UK, Australia, Canada, France, USA
Analysis and compilation of data by team of editors
Preparation of Dementia India Report and circulation to expert consultative group for review and feedback
Formal release of Dementia India Report at Dementia India Summit, New Delhi
Apr – Jul, 2010
21st Sep, 2010

8. Dementia India Report: Contents
Introduction – problem, public health issue, prevention
Estimates of numbers of persons with dementia – prevalence, state wise numbers and projections for 20 yrs
Impact of dementia and costs (family, quality of life, society, health services, disability)
Services and treatments available
The gap in India and call for action

9. Key Recommendations of Report
Make dementia a national health priority
Increase awareness about dementia
Improve dementia identification and care skills
Develop community support
Guarantee carer support packages
Develop Comprehensive Dementia care models
Increase funding for dementia research
Develop new national policies and legislation for persons with dementia

10. Recommended India Dementia Strategy1
Health Interventions 2
Social Interventions 3
Policy Initiatives

11. National Programme for Dementia
1. Health Interventions
Setting up of national and regional centers for research, training and treating dementia
Periodical training of doctors, para medical staff on the nuances of dementia, its early detection and care giving
Setting up of memory clinics at all civil and government hospitals in each district to ensure early diagnosis
Awareness generation in all districts and regional levels
Media propaganda for extended outreach
2. Social Interventions
3. Policy Initiatives

12. Rehabilitative Facilities
1. Health Interventions
Pan-India assisted living facilities (at least one for each state and in all major cities), with trained personnel to care for persons living with dementia
Facilities to be equipped with provisions for
Preliminary memory screening (MMSE)
Training of care givers
Rehabilitative therapies including physiotherapy, occupational, music, reminiscence, yoga
2. Social Interventions
3. Policy Initiatives

13. Making Dementia a Health Priority
1. Health Interventions
Active Government participation
Enumeration of persons with dementia during census
Establishing magnitude of the problem through epidemiological studies
Easier access to health care
Rehabilitative and therapeutic interventions
Development of services
2. Social Interventions
3. Policy Initiatives

14. Key Achievements since Publication
Submission of Dementia India Report to Prime Minister, Health Minister, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister
Translation of report into four major regional languages
Inclusion in the Committee of Social Justice Ministry to prepare next 5 year plan of Government of India
Invited by the parliamentary forum on population and public health to discuss the Dementia India Report
Made member of task force of Indian council of medical research

15. Impact of Dementia India Report – Boost in Awareness
Increase in awareness among General Public
Creation of increased interest from Government
More interest by the media
More involvement of professionals, especially medical community

16. Message for Other Associations
Establishes prevalence and true societal cost of dementia
Quantifies economic burden and funding requirements
Highlights country-specific social / care-giving issues
Essential to advocate with government and policy makers
Increases awareness amongst public, media and medical community
Country-specific dementia report crucial to dementia awareness generation and policy advocacy

17. Thank You