THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With nearly one in four people in Keralam projected to be aged 60 and above by 2036, the state is planning to carry out annual cognitive screening of the entire 60-plus population for early detection of dementia.
A progressive condition that can impair memory, thinking and everyday functioning, dementia is emerging as a growing challenge for the state’s rapidly ageing population. The state’s own estimate puts dementia prevalence among those aged 65 and above at 4.86%. The project will be implemented by the newly set up welfare of senior citizens department under Chief Minister V D Satheesan.
The proposed screening is part of the ‘State Action Plan for Dementia Care’ accessed by TNIE. It envisages screening through primary health centres (PHCs) in rural areas and the Vayomithram initiative in urban areas, with ASHA and Anganwadi workers involved in the process. A standardised cognitive screening tool is to be developed and validated by the State Resource Centre for Older People (SRCOP) at the Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS).
“The plan seeks to build a decentralised care pathway around early detection. Family health centres and urban primary health centres would provide primary-level dementia care, while monthly multi-speciality clinics at block level would bring in neurologists, geriatricians and other specialists,” said Arun S Nair, director, senior citizens welfare department.
District hospitals and government medical colleges would have designated memory clinics, creating a referral chain for patients requiring specialised care. The existing Smruthipadham dementia-care centres in Edavanakkad, Ernakulam, and Kunnamkulam, Thrissur, would form the first tier of dedicated facilities, with the plan proposing at least one such centre in every district within three years.
The strategy places families at the centre of dementia care. Every family of newly diagnosed persons is proposed to receive a defined period of coordinated post-diagnostic support through Vayomithram. Family and paid caregivers would be trained in daily care, safe-home environments and managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.
“Respite care would be provided through the existing Pakal Veedu and Samayaprabha network, alongside caregiver support groups and an integrated helpline. The plan also envisages a state-level dementia registry, linked to existing Vayomithram and welfare databases, to track screening, diagnosis and service coverage,” the official added.
The action plan envisages a three-year rollout, beginning with the creation of the coordination mechanism and screening protocol, followed by district-level expansion and, finally, statewide caregiver support and workforce development.
What’s in pipeline?
Annual cognitive screening for everyone aged 60-plus
PHCs and Vayomithram to lead screening statewide
Memory clinics for all 14 districts
Dedicated dementia centres within three years
Expanding caregiver support and respite care
The ageing challenge
16.5% of Keralam’s population is currently 60-plus
This population projected to reach 23% by 2036
4.86% of people aged 65 and above have dementia
Dementia prevalence estimate ranges from 3.83-5.89%
Old-age dependency ratio projected to reach 34.3% by 2031
