As the existing policies were developed to meet the needs of older people in Brazil (regardless of having dementia) they are broad in scope and incorporate other aspects of care, such as general healthcare (Brazilian Ministry of Health, 2006b). Mental health care is available through the National Policy for Primary Care (Política de Nacional de Atenção Básica) for all people of all ages. People who have been identified to be in need of mental health support may be sent to the Centres of Psychosocial Attention (Centro de Atenção Psicosocial – CASP) where they receive specialised care (Brazilian Ministry of Health, 2012, 2018e). People living with dementia might follow this route; however, these individuals are most often involved in the health system through the primary healthcare units, rather than through the mental health services.

References:

Brazilian Ministry of Health. (2006b). Política Nacional de Saúde da Pessoa Idosa. Brazilian Ministry of Health. http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/saudelegis/gm/2006/prt2528_19_10_2006.html

Brazilian Ministry of Health. (2012). Política Nacional de Atenção Básica. http://189.28.128.100/dab/docs/publicacoes/geral/pnab.pdf

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.

The Mental Health Review Report (MHRR) outlines the burden of dementia, health and social care services for persons with dementia and their family carers, approaches to enhance dementia care, integrated community care and intervention model for dementia, and recommendations for dementia care (Food and Health Bureau, 2017a).

The Elderly Services Programme Plan (ESPP) covers the principle of active ageing, community care services and carer support, residential care services, assessment mechanism and case management, dementia care services, and end-of-life care for older people. In terms of collaboration, partnership, and interfacing with other sectors, it recommends more effective partnerships between welfare, healthcare, and housing sectors. To meet the diverse needs and expectations of the elderly population, it emphasises the interface between multiple providers of services among various sectors, including subsidised services, self-financed services, and private services (Working Group on Elderly Services Programme Plan, 2017, p. 40).

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 policy outlines that efforts to achieve healthy and productive brains must be supported through balanced nutrition, physical activities, and cognitive, spiritual and social stimulations. The efforts should be supported by families, society, and the environment. These efforts are supposed to create a healthy lifestyle that reduces risk factors and reduces the risk of developing cognitive impairment in older people (Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia, 2015b). The policy did not explicitly state the intersection with mental health care.

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.

It outlines the interface with other aspects of care with regards to the prevention and promotion of mental health with a life-course perspective. This involves considering known risk factors, and encouraging active and healthy ageing, which could help preventing, or at least delaying, the onset of dementia and other conditions.

NZ Dementia framework:

The framework notes that one of its purposes is to provide “a guide that district health boards (DHBs) can use as they work with primary, secondary, and community health and social support services (including social, information, emergency and housing) to develop clear, consistent, well-resourced and easily accessible dementia care pathways.”

Throughout the document, there are references to the need to link in with other services e.g., with primary care for risk reduction strategies, drug and alcohol services for addiction and dementia support, palliative care services for end-of-life care, or with specialist mental health for management of BPSD or depression and anxiety in the person with dementia or their carers.

Dementia Action Plan:

The dementia plan states it is intended to fit within the second Healthy Ageing Strategy Action Plan and that it also links to, and supports, other strategies and plans including:

• Better Later Life – He Oranga Kaumātua 2019-2034 which sets out the actions needed for New Zealand to embrace the opportunities that an ageing population and longevity brings.
• The Carers’ Strategy 2008 and the Carers’ Strategy Action Plan which provides resources and support to support care partners. The 2019 to 2023 Action Plan is currently out for consultation.
• The New Zealand Disability Strategy 2016 which has a vision for New Zealand as “a non-disabling society – a place where disabled people have an equal opportunity to achieve their goals and aspirations, and all of New Zealand works together to make this happen”.
• Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction 2018 which provided advice to Government about changes needed to the system.

In the action plan, it also outlines the need to work between and across organisations to achieve the desired outcomes.

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