Needs Assessment Study in a Dementia Colombian Population

Dementia is a public health problem. In Colombia, there is no policy for dementia patients or their caregivers. Patients with dementia have unidentified needs and this lack of knowledge has contributed that a formal policy has not been raised. The recognition and identification of the needs facilitate the planning, provision, and evaluation of health services, and constitutes the first stage for the implementation of services or care plans. If the Colombian State wants to formulate policies that protect the population with dementia it should conduct studies that contemplate all dimensions and guarantee the social inclusion and equity of the affected population. A needs assessment study is required that includes the identification and analysis of physical, social, patrimonial, legal, access and psychological needs of patients with early stages of dementia and their caregivers.