Natural medicines are communicated by “word of mouth” and can be purchased in pharmacies or natural products stores without prescription. Traditional/Faith healers are not common in Brazil, but there are the so called ‘benzedeiras’ (blessers), who were common in the past, and generally prescribe teas or pray for someone who is ill.

Along with the cognitive function declines and the increase of behavioural and psychological symptoms, primary care providers should make referral to specialists (e.g., geriatricians, psychiatrists, neurologists) for specific pharmacological treatments when necessary. Pharmacological treatments should be used with caution while considering the expectations of patients and families, possible side effects, and other health problems that can be incurred by patients (Department of Health, 2017b, p. 29).

References:

Department of Health. (2017b). Hong Kong Reference Framework for Preventive Care for Older Adults in Primary Care Settings: Module on Cognitive Impairment. Retrieved from https://www.fhb.gov.hk/pho/rfs/english/pdf_viewer.html?file=download215&title=string258&titletext=string189&htmltext=string189&resources=07_Module_on_Cognitive_Impairment

Subjectively, the use of traditional medicine and spiritual healers seems to be quite popular among the general public. Pratono & Maharani (2018) report the preference of many older people in the Malang Regency of consulting traditional medicine/healers as opposed to modern healthcare providers, although this work did not specifically focus on dementia. There has been no information on how traditional or alternative medicine for dementia are communicated or how the patients access them. However, other study on traditional medicine for other health problems reported that most patients find the information about it from family (33.3%), friends (25%), religious group (22.2%), mass media (16.7%), and neighbours (2.7%) (Devy & Aji, 2006).

References:

Devy, S. R., & Aji, B. (2006). Faktor Predisposing, Enabling dan Reinforcing pada Pasien di Pengobatan Alternatif Radiesthesi Medik Metode Romo H. Loogman di Purworejo Jawa Tengah. Indonesian Journal of Public Health, 3(2), 35–44.

Pratono, A. H., & Maharani, A. (2018). Long-Term Care in Indonesia: The Role of Integrated Service Post for Elderly. Journal of Aging and Health, 30(10), 1556–1573. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264318794732

Not yet described.