Less than 1% of patients have access to palliative care in India and existing services are predominantly available for persons living with cancer (Rajagopal et al., 2015). The state of Kerala is an exception with a large community-based model for palliative care (Kumar, 2007).

Recently, the Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres are working on expanding the range of care services provided at a primary level including elderly and palliative care services which are relevant to persons with dementia (MoHFW, 2019).

References:

Kumar S. K. (2007). Kerala, India: a regional community-based palliative care model. Journal of pain and symptom management, 33(5), 623–627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2007.02.005

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (2019). Ayushman Bharat: Health and Wellness Centre.

Rajagopal, M. R. (2015). The current status of palliative care in India. Cancer Control, 22, 57-62. Available from: http://www.cancercontrol.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/57-62-MR-Rajagopal-.pdf