Health and Global Policy Institute’s (HGPI) Dementia Project submitted its written comments on the draft of “The Basic Plan on Dementia to Promote an Inclusive Society (Draft) and Basic Measures” by the division of Dementia Policy and Community-Based Long-Term Care Promotion, Health and Welfare Bureau for the Elderly, Ministry of Health. (The call for public comments is now closed.)

These draft proposals are important steps towards the first basic plan based on the “The Basic Act on Dementia to Promote an Inclusive Society,” which came into effect on January 1, 2024. The Dementia Project has been involved in shaping the discourse by issuing several recommendations to the society since the enactment of the legislative process of the Basic Act on Dementia. Based on the ideas for which we advocated in our previous policy recommendations, we have made proposals, including specific topic-related wording, to ensure that the basic plan will be effectively executed.

Key Points of the Public Comment

• It is important to regularly review existing policies in light of the “new perspective on dementia.”
• Regarding the participation of people with dementia in the planning process for basic measures, a mechanism that will allow us to continuously integrate is necessary, rather than simply gathering input on a temporary basis.
• Dementia policies involve a wide range of life-related measures beyond medical and nursing care. It is important to share and examine issues that emerge through discussions and policy implementation at the prefectural and municipal levels. Therefore, in addition to local governments modifying their content based on the national basic plan, it is also necessary to create opportunities and raise awareness regarding feedback from local governments to the national government.
• In order to promote social participation and employment support for people with dementia, rehabilitation that improves functional disabilities based on cognitive impairment is also imperative.
• Participation in research and clinical trials should be done voluntarily and autonomously. To promote participation, it is also imperative to provide and spread necessary knowledge and promote understanding of research and clinical trials.
• The implementation of dementia policies at the local level is greatly influenced by the resources available in each region, so promotion should be tailored to local contexts.
• To enable people with dementia to live out, it is also important to reduce the burden imposed on family caregivers and other carers.