07.01.01. Where and how do people get a diagnostic assessment for dementia? | Mexico
07.01.01. Where and how do people get a diagnostic assessment for dementia? | Mexico
13 Jul 2022
Mexico does not have a Dementia Care system in place at the moment and, therefore, there is no typical path for diagnostic assessment. Additionally, given the lack of knowledge and high stigma, usually people with “possible” dementia and/or their family members only seek services when advanced symptoms are present. Social security institutions in the largest metropolitan areas can refer people with suspected cognitive impairment or visibly advanced symptoms of some type of dementia to a specialist for further evaluation and some diagnostic tests. However, entry access will depend on the availability of specialists, such as psychiatrists, geriatricians, or neurologist who, as described in part 2, are scarce. Therefore, a large percentage of people remain undiagnosed. Furthermore, the few public institutions that have Memory or Dementia care services (such as the National Institute of Neurology in Mexico City), are the only places that can conduct rigorous evaluations and diagnostic assessments, as they have the human and technological resources available. Unfortunately, they can only oversee a very small number of those in need. Very few memory clinics are in place and only few third level public hospitals include specialists that are trained to diagnose and provide treatment and management for dementia.