On February 29th, the National Board of Health and Welfare submitted the documentation to the Government that will form the basis for the new updated national dementia strategy. The National Board of Health and Welfare takes a comprehensive approach to dementia care and treatment, focusing on different aspects of care and support and the need for improvements and priorities in the national strategy. A central part of this is the integration of digital tools for diagnostics and care support.
The paper highlights the importance of person-centered care and the transition towards it. It emphasizes that primary care needs increased resources and adapted support for patients with multiple diseases, including dementia. It also highlights that rehabilitation and preventive measures are essential to maintain the best possible functional capacity in dementia patients. Risk factors for dementia include untreated hearing loss, emphasizing the importance of early attention and intervention. The need for a dementia-friendly society where people with dementia can live independently and with a high quality of life is also specifically highlighted.
Digitalization and the use of welfare technology is highlighted by the National Board of Health and Welfare as an important part of supporting people with dementia and their relatives. It is emphasized that digital tools can increase independence and security for dementia patients and relieve the burden on relatives and loved ones. Furthermore, the need to further develop and implement digital tools for diagnosis and care support is emphasized.
In summary, the importance of digital tools for diagnostics and care support in dealing with dementia is emphasized. This includes the use of digital technologies for early detection, diagnosis, rehabilitation and improvement of quality of life for people with dementia and their families and caregivers.
In addition to digitalization as an important part of dementia care, the National Board of Health and Welfare highlights the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles to prevent and improve brain health and reduce the risk of dementia. This specifically highlights the FINGER model, which focuses on five lifestyle factors: diet, physical activity, cognitive training, social activities and control of cardiovascular values (such as blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and blood sugar).
The studies of the FINGER model show that by improving these lifestyle habits, memory problems can be prevented and brain health improved. It is emphasized that the successful application of this model on a larger scale requires adaptation, testing and optimization to local conditions and different socio-cultural environments.
It also highlights the importance of raising awareness of how different lifestyle factors can affect the risk of dementia, and of implementing preventive measures in both healthcare and society as a whole. It also underlines the importance of supporting people with dementia to maintain healthy lifestyles and participate in meaningful activities for as long as possible.
The full document is available here.
