Health Professionals’ Recommendations for a Dementia Plan for China

Abstract

There is no specific national dementia plan concerning people with dementia in China. The purpose of this study was to explore health professionals’ recommendations for a dementia plan for China to meet the needs of people with dementia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 doctors and nurses using purposive maximum variation sampling. Data were interpreted inductively using thematic analysis. Four themes were identified. Themes on policy recommendations emphasized a need to support people with dementia and those who care for them, including the development of community daycare centers, specialized dementia care units in hospitals, and specialized nursing homes. Improvement in dementia care in China is needed, including services across all care settings. Programs to train and support family caregivers and help health professionals to detect, diagnose and treat dementia are crucial. Further support for the families of people with dementia is required.

Family carers’ expectations regarding dementia care services and support in China: A qualitative study

“…The unwillingness for disclosure may be explained by the fact that 57% of people with dementia in low/low-middle income countries reported their symptoms were ridiculed by others (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2019). Therefore, raising public awareness and tackling stigma towards dementia is needed (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2019; Zhao et al, 2021). Programmes, such as the Dementia Friends Programme, to reduce stigma and raise awareness have been well established in many countries and have impacted public awareness of dementia (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2019).…”