The treatment gap for dementia is estimated to be greater than 90% in the majority of India (Dias and Patel, 2009). Low levels of awareness and lack of adequate services to diagnose and manage dementia contribute to this treatment gap. After receiving a diagnosis, families have limited access to post-diagnostic support services. Service centres that provide long-term care support such as day care centres and residential care facilities are very few for persons with dementia in the country (Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI), 2010). Family remains the main provider of long-term care for dementia in India (ARDSI, 2010).

References:

Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India. (2010). THE DEMENTIA INDIA REPORT 2010: Prevalence, impact, cost and services for dementia. New Dehli. Retrieved from https://ardsi.org/pdf/annual%20report.pdf

Dias, A., & Patel, V. (2009). Closing the treatment gap for dementia in India. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 51 Suppl 1, S93-7. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21416026