RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Barriers to dementia diagnosis and care in China
JF BMJ Case Reports
JO BMJ Case Reports
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e232115
DO 10.1136/bcr-2019-232115
VO 13
IS 3
A1 Quail, Zara
A1 Wei, Angelina
A1 Zhang, Vicky Fan
A1 Carter, Mark McLean
YR 2020
UL http://casereports.bmj.com/content/13/3/e232115.abstract
AB In China, the ageing population and the prevalence of dementia are projected to escalate significantly by 2050 resulting in a substantial increase in health and economic burden on caregivers, healthcare facilities, healthcare providers and communities. There is no published national dementia policy or strategy in China. This case report describes significant barriers contributing to diagnostic problems and inadequate care of dementia through the case of an older female in rural China, whose condition deteriorated due to neuropsychiatric and functional symptoms of undiagnosed dementia. Intersectoral collaboration between care organisations facilitated delivery of a non-pharmacological intervention programme which was associated with improvements in the patient’s functional and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The case demonstrates that recruitment and training of a wider range of health and care professionals and caregivers in a systematic approach to non-pharmacological interventions could help overcome barriers to the specialised care needs of people with dementia where resources are lacking.