In Romania, dementia care has gradually improved in the last decade. Accessibility of psychiatric services and availability of psychiatric and/or psychotherapeutic treatment have been significantly enhanced by new legislations and regulations. Public and private sectors of home care for the elderly have also been developed. Despite these changes, the management of dementia remains challenging because of delay in diagnosis and/or inappropriate treatment. Dementia care in the future in Romania should adopt a professional approach by improving education and training, as well as changing attitudes, not only among doctors (general practitioners, psychiatrists, neurologists, etc.), but also among all those involved in care (nurses, social assistants, relatives, etc.) and the general population. Reducing stigma and discrimination will contribute to early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Collaborative efforts from a medico-social and community perspective, with the support of government authorities, could provide a source of new funding, which should be distributed according to the needs of each county in Romania.
Robotic Assistive Technology Augmenting Dementia Care: Technology Design and Preliminary Acceptability
