At policy level, yes. Community healthcare agents and primary healthcare staff should conduct a multidimensional assessment and, from that, identify what the person is able to do independently and what help is needed. This is part of the integral care for older people, that considers clinical, psychosocial, and functional aspects of a person’s life. As one of the aims of the multidimensional assessment is to keep people’s independence, it is expected that support regarding the maintenance of an active role in the community is provided. It is important to state that all older persons can receive education regarding the maintenance of an active role in the community, regardless of having dementia (Brazilian Ministry of Health, 2018e).

References:

Brazilian Ministry of Health. (2018e). Orientações Técnicas para a Implementação de Linha de Cuidado para Atenção integral à Saúde da Pessoa Idosa no Sistema Único de Saúde—SUS. Ministério da Saúde do Brasil.

As mentioned in the Mental Health Review Report (MHRR), the Government has provided different support for people with dementia and their family carers based on the principles of age in place. This emphasises on increasing awareness, reducing stigma, enhancing early detection and intervention, and strengthening community support to allow people with dementia living safely, independently, and comfortably in the community (Food and Health Bureau, 2017a, p. 168). It also recommends that the Government should further strengthen social care infrastructure in order for persons with dementia to remain in the community for as long as possible (Food and Health Bureau, 2017a, p. 188).

The Elderly Services Programme Plan (ESPP) recommends the enhancement of community care support to achieve the principle of age in place and avoid unnecessary institutionalisation (Working Group on Elderly Services Programme Plan, 2017, p. 24).

References:

Food and Health Bureau. (2017a). Mental Health Review Report.  Retrieved from https://www.fhb.gov.hk/download/press_and_publications/otherinfo/180500_mhr/e_mhr_full_report.pdf.

Working Group on Elderly Services Programme Plan, Elderly Commission of Government of Hong Kong SAR,. (2017). Elderly Services Programme Plan. Hong Kong: Elderly Commission of Government HKSAR Retrieved from https://www.elderlycommission.gov.hk/en/download/library/ESPP_Final_Report_Eng.pdf.

Not applicable.

The national strategic plan aims to ensure that older people stay healthy and productive and therefore can continue to support the nation’s social system and economy. This is encouraged through a life-cycle perspective, which emphasises prevention by encouraging and supporting people in reducing risks of dementia to maintain healthy and active brains (Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia, 2015b). Indicator 1.9 in the fourth action step, outlines the aim that an increased proportion of older people with physical or cognitive limitations should still be able to take part in physical, social, and spiritual activities (Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia, 2015b). However, this seems to support the underlying aim of diagnosing more people at an earlier stage, as the plan does not describe in detail people with dementia could be supported in maintaining an active role in the community as the disease progresses.

References:

Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia. (2015b). National Strategy: Management of Alzheimer and Other Dementia Diseases: Towards Healthy and Productive Older Persons. Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia.

No data was sourced due to a lack of dementia policy in Jamaica.

An active role of the people with dementia is not mentioned in the plan.

Not applicable as there is no dementia-specific policy or plan for South Africa.