DESK REVIEWS | 04.03.14. (How) does the policy address aspects of sustainability? (e.g., financing, political, and social commitment)

DESK REVIEW | 04.03.14. (How) does the policy address aspects of sustainability? (e.g., financing, political, and social commitment)

No. Sustainability is not addressed explicitly.

As mentioned in the Mental Health Review Report (MHRR), it is important to develop effective medical-social collaboration and intervention model while addressing the rising demand of dementia care services in a more cost-effective and sustainable way (Food and Health Bureau, 2017a, p. 186).

In terms of ensuring financial sustainability and accountability, the Elderly Services Programme Plan (ESPP) proposes the review of existing funding models of public expenditures, co-payments and allowance schemes for community and residential care services for older people. This plan also considers exploring measures to facilitate the provision of self-financing services from NGOs and alternative long-term care financing options based on the varying levels of needs, aspirations, and affordability of elderly services users (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.

Sustainability is not explicitly addressed in the national plan.

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

A continuous evaluation is proposed through the creation of an advisory group to evaluate the relevance and sustainability of the proposed actions, the mechanisms to execute them, and the generation of evaluation tools to measure the impact of the implemented actions. However, although there is institutional leadership, the group has not been officially formed.

NZ Dementia framework:

The framework recognises NZ’s ageing population and an increasing population of people with dementia. It notes that the framework was developed because “The Ministry of Health (the Ministry), together with the health and social support sector, recognises dementia care needs to be improved nationwide in a way that maximises the independence and wellbeing of the person with dementia and their family and whānau while ensuring safety and affordability of services”. It does not specifically address sustainability.

Dementia Action Plan:

The dementia plan identifies the increasing population of people with dementia as a reason it needs to be a priority area but does not specifically make a link between this and sustainability. It does however note that dementia “represents a major challenge for New Zealand creating major human, social, economic, health, workforce and economic costs” and that “the current services are not capable of meeting the need”. 

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