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Table 15 Portugal

From: Structures for the care of people with dementia: a European comparison

Population (2021)

10.3 million [20]

Area (2021)

92,100 km² [21]

Spread of dementia-specific outpatient care services for people with dementia

In some regions

Spread of dementia-specific inpatient care services for people with dementia

In some regions

Expert notes regarding outpatient and inpatient care

Reasons for the low distribution of dementia-specific services include a lack of funding and organisation.

Expert conclusion regarding dementia-specific care structures

The existing care services are only partly suitable to adequately care for people with dementia and there are various barriers of access to these services. Additionally, it does not seem clear who is responsible for the care of people with dementia. Currently, neurology, psychiatry, and mental health teams share this work. Informational services for people with dementia and their family members exist in some regions. These services are provided by Alzheimer cafés, the website of the ‘Association Alzheimer Portugal’, and a dementia-specific movement at the community level.

Existing models of good practise

A growing movement in the municipalities to reach people with dementia, raise awareness of dementia, and disseminate information.