China to set up comprehensive prevention, control system for senile dementia by 2030

China will gradually establish a comprehensive and continuous prevention and control system for senile dementia featuring prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and care by 2030, according to Chinese authorities.

Fifteen authorities including the National Health Commission, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Education have jointly issued an action plan, proposing seven major tasks in this regard to address the growing number of elderly patients with dementia in China.

The seven major tasks includes promoting the fundamental knowledge on the prevention and control of senile dementia, conducting senile dementia screening and early intervention, increasing the supply of care services for the elderly with dementia, building a social environment that is friendly to senile dementia and strengthening external exchanges and cooperation in addressing senile dementia, according to the plan.

It is expected that by 2030, the standardized diagnosis and treatment mechanism will be improved, and the cognitive function screening for the elderly will be fully implemented, said the plan.

Meanwhile, the rate of setting up special care areas (units) for the elderly with dementia in nursing institutions with more than 100 beds and corresponding service capabilities will reach 50 percent, and the number of caregivers trained for those patient will reach 15 million in total, it added.