Background: Dementia in developing countries is to a large extent a hidden problem. People with dementia and their families do not seek help partly because awareness is low and there is no concept of dementia as a medical condition. Also public health services in developing countries are not well orientated to meet the needs of older people. Care is focused on identification and treatment of acute pathology, and is clinic based. Basic level multipurpose health workers are the backbone of the community health service in many developing countries. In India, in an earlier 10/66 study KS Shaji showed that such workers could be trained to identify cases of dementia in the community.
Method: The Indian 10/66 group has led the development of a 5 session caregiver education and training intervention, suitable to be delivered by a basic level health worker. The intervention comprises a) assessment, b) general education about dementia and c) focused training in management of behavioural problems at home. All family members are involved in the intervention in an attempt to spread understanding and diminish the tendency for stigma and blame to attaching to the principal caregiver.
Objectives: To describe the background to the development of the intervention, the methods for training and delivery by basic level health workers, and the plans to evaluate the intervention in randomized controlled trials in China, India, Dominican Republic, and Moscow.
Back to S028 The 10/66 Dementia Research Group – Dementia in Developing Countries
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