The Global Dementia Observatory (GDO)
Knowledge Exchange Platform
Welcome to the Global Dementia Observatory
Click below to learn more about the Global Dementia Observatory
Developing good practice guidance for international dementia services in collaboration with WHO
As part of WHO's Quality Rights initiative, we are developing a good practice guidance document which will present information on dementia services that promote human rights and the recovery approach. Please help us identify people-centered services that you are aware of, that operate without coercion, and that respond to people’s needs by promoting autonomy, inclusion in the community, and the involvement of people with lived experience at all levels of decision-making.
In Memoriam: Roger Marple
Last year, we lost Roger Marple – a dear friend, staunch supporter and founding member of the Global Dementia Observatory Knowledge Exchange Platform Focus Group of people with lived experience of dementia. In 2020, Roger joined the GDO KE Focus Group and together with the other Focus Group Members contributed substantially to its success by co-designing a unique process that would allow people who are living with dementia to review and critically appraise resources that are submitted to the GDO KE Platform.
Multi-regional workshop on the implementation of the Global action plan on the public health response to dementia
To build country capacity related to dementia within the WHO Regions of Africa, Europe, and the Eastern Mediterranean, the Ministry of Public Health Qatar, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), organized a multi-regional and multi-sectoral dementia workshop, held in Doha, Qatar between 9 and 11 May 2022. The workshop provided an opportunity for cross-country and cross-regional exchanges on good practices and lessons learned in areas such as dementia policy, risk reduction, diagnosis, treatment, care and support, support for dementia carers, information systems for dementia, as well as dementia research and innovation.
Nezabutni's response in Ukraine
Since the first days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine “Nezabutni”, a charitable foundation dedicated to supporting people with dementia and their relatives, has taken on the role of supporting people with dementia living in Ukraine. To ensure people living with dementia and their relatives continue to be supported during this difficult time, Nezabutni has delivered medication to people living with dementia, provided free online support for families, and assisted individuals that have fled the country.
Technical Meeting on the Public Health Aspects of Dementia in the Americas
To exchange lessons learned and achievements to date and to allow Member States and territories of the Americas to better understand how the global dementia action plan can be implemented in their country, a regional workshop was held by PAHO on 18 November 2021. The virtual workshop presented a great opportunity to learn about ongoing activities in the Region of the Americas and represents an important step to plan future actions at the national level.
Reunión técnica sobre los aspectos de salud pública de la demencia and las Américas
Para compartir lecciones aprendidas y logros hasta la fecha, y para permitir que los Estados Miembros y miembros de nuestra Región entiendan como se puede implementar el plan de acción mundial en sus países, el 18 de Noviembre del 2021 OPS auspició un taller regional. El taller virtual presento una grande oportunidad para intercambiar información sobre actividades en curso y futuras en nuestra Región y representa un paso importante para planificar acciones futuras al nivel nacional.
Reunião técnica sobre os aspectos de saúde pública relacionados à demência nas Américas
Com o objetivo de compartilhar aprendizados e apoiar Estados Membros e territórios das Américas a entender melhor como implementar o plano de ação global em seus países, a OPAS organizou um workshop regional no dia 18 de Novembro de 2021. O workshop virtual constituiu uma ótima oportunidade para se informar sobre atividades em curso na Região das Américas e representa um passo importante para o planejamento de ações a nível nacional.
Developing Dementia-Friendly hospitals in Denmark
People with dementia admitted to hospital care are at greater risk of complications. Several studies have shown increased morbidity, mortality and functional decline during hospitalization in patients with dementia. With the aim of developing concepts for dementia-friendly hospital care in a Danish setting, we refined and tested a range of interventions within a two-year period.
Klaipėda Region Alzheimer's disease club ATMENA (Lithuania)
ATMENA aims to support people living with dementia, their carers in their daily lives, to help them to live healthier and full of potential lives as long as possible.
"Operation Dementia": Training for police officers in Austria
One of the goals of the Austrian dementia strategy is to integrate people with dementia into our society and enable them to participate in public life. Police officers as a professional group in public places are strongly challenged here, as they are often the first point of contact for people with dementia and their families in crisis situations.
Building Dementia-Friendly Communities (DFCs) In Singapore
To make Singapore a dementia-friendly nation, the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), with the support of Ministry of Health (MOH), partners key community stakeholders, to set up Dementia-Friendly Communities (DFCs) in various neighbourhoods across Singapore.
Dementia-Inclusive Choices for Exercise Project
Exercise is key to maintaining functional abilities of persons living with dementia, with additional benefits to mental and social well-being. Current dementia-specific exercise programs are insufficient to meet the diverse needs of persons living with dementia. The overarching aim of the DICE project is to improve the number and quality of exercise opportunities accessible to persons living with dementia.
Innovative Digital Training Opportunities on Dementia for Direct Care Workers (Lithuania)
Dementia is emerging as one of the most common age-related diseases. The difficulty in being a caregiver of a person with dementia is that the person’s behaviors undermine all the basic, social, and interactional conduct. New technologies based on the use of ICT technologies are being considered to improve communication skills and reduce associated stress both for people with dementia and for caregivers
Dementia Understand Together in Communities
Dementia: Understand Together (UT) is the second phase of a national awareness campaign running in Ireland to increase understanding of dementia among the general public. The programme is led by the Health Service Executive’s National Dementia Office, Health and Wellbeing and Communications teams, in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Age Friendly Cities and Counties.
Promoting brain health in Finland
Finnish population is ageing, and the number of people suffering from memory disorders is increasing. Approximately 200,000 people have some form of cognitive decline and approximately 14,500 new cases of memory disorders are diagnosed each year. In order to meet the increasing demand for services and costs, we need action to promote brain health, to prevent memory disorders and to identify memory problems as early as possible.
Dementia caregiver support in Malta
In response to the growing challenge that dementia is posing on the Maltese society at large, in 2015 Malta launched its first national dementia plan entitled Empowering Change: A National Strategy for Dementia in the Maltese Islands (2015-2023) with the objective of enhancing the quality of life of individuals with dementia, their caregivers and family members. Among the various interventions streams highlighted in the strategy document, community-based dementia management, care and support was considered a priority that needed urgent attention.
Addressing dementia in the Czech Republic
In accordance with WHO recommendations embodied in the Global Dementia Action Plan 2017-2025, the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic initiated important systemic changes to strengthen dementia policy.
A library for All - The Dementia-friendly library Wiener Neustadt (Austria)
Public organizations need to provide good health information to support citizens and improve their health literacy when living with cognitive impairment. Libraries are educational facilities that provide information and offer space and possibilities to meet for people of all ages.