On October 1st, 2024, the ICT Elderly Grievance Redressal Committee held the second session in its two-part policy discussion series on elderly care in Islamabad. Building on insights from the earlier session, this webinar focused on “Improving Policy Responses to Dementia and Mental Health in Old Age”.

The session addressed the growing challenges of abandonment, abuse, and mental health among the elderly—highlighting the bidirectional link between mental health deterioration and family neglect. Experts and participants discussed the increasing prevalence of dementia, which is now the seventh leading cause of death and a major source of disability in older age globally (WHO, 2023). The discussion emphasized the urgent need for integrated mental health and healthcare policies that consider socio-cultural dynamics, as well as the importance of both micro-level and macro-level responses. This policy consultation aimed to identify service gaps and propose innovative, culturally sensitive solutions to improve the quality of life for older persons in Pakistan.

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2hDk72CS-o