THE ISRAELI NATIONAL DEMENTIA PLAN: INCREASING AWARENESS AND MOBILIZING RESOURCES—A JOINT ENDEAVOR

摘要

In 2013, Israel developed a national strategic plan for dementia, based on an interdisciplinary and inter-organizational group of experts. The plan offers a holistic perspective and emphasizes collaboration among all relevant agencies. The Ministry of Health has set up an implementation committee that meets regularly.Major accomplishments to date include:- Increasing public and professional awareness of dementia.- Promoting discourse among healthcare leaders to advance dementia policy and practice including prevention and timely diagnosis, provision of quality care, and end of life issues, with a focus on primary care.- Increasing cooperation among governmental agencies and civil society, to encourage the development and implementation of services for people with dementia and their families.A major challenge is to secure the needed financial and professional resources, and political support, to ensure sustainability of these accomplishments and future development for the years ahead.