CURRENT PRACTICE IN CARING FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA

Abstract

Introduction. The increasing of the prevalence of dementia worldwide makes it a public health priority. This is due to the growing number of elderly populations around the world. The lack of research on dementia identified in Kazakhstan. Aim: to study the current practice of care in primary healthcare (PHC) facilities for people with dementia in Almaty city. Materials and methods. At the first stage, the number of registered cases with dementia in Almaty was analyzed. The data were obtained from the National Scientific Center for Health Development, Almaty branch. At the second stage, interviews were conducted with primary health care specialists on the provision of assistance to the target group. 12 PHC professionals involved in interviewing. Results. From 2019 to 2023 the number of vascular dementia as well as Early or late onset Alzheimer's dementia is on the rise, whereas the Dementia in other diseases classified elsewhere decreased. The main barrier to providing care to people with dementia is related to the insufficient qualifications of primary care specialists, as well as the lack of screening for dementia among the adult population. There are no cognitive tests currently used for screening dementia in PHC, although they are effective in assessing it. Conclusion. In Almaty, there is an increasing prevalence of dementia, which requires additional training for PHC specialists on early screening of the condition. Additionally, further research is needed in the future to revise the model of care for people with dementia at the PHC level and to raise public awareness.