P1‐196: Dementia in Malta: Experiences of dementia patients and their caregivers

Abstract

Dementia is a group of brain disorders that results in progressive deterioration of cognitive functions leading to significant socio-economic consequences. In Malta, the smallest of the EU-member states, the number of people with dementia is expected to double by the year 2035 reaching 2% of the general population. This will put considerable demands on family and informal carer-givers as the majority of care for Maltese people with dementia is provided at home. The objective of this study was to investigate the experiences of people with dementia who continue to live in the community and their family care-givers in Malta. Patients who had received a formal diagnosis of dementia, were over the age of 65, and attended the memory clinic at one of the major elderly hospitals, together with their care-givers, were interviewed on various aspects of dementia care provision in Malta. The key issues on which the in-depth interviews were based included family organisation of informal care, aspects related with the use of anti-dementia drugs and support and information needs by dementia patients and their care-givers. Preliminary results show similarities of care for people with dementia in Malta and other countries in the Southern region of Europe. Some distinct features in the organisation of family support were also observed. The results to date indicate the need to further research in areas that need particular attention in dementia care in Malta, especially the provision of adequate information and support to both patient and care-giver.