The patient journey for people with dementia and their carers in Peru: From first symptoms to diagnosis and treatment

Rossini‐Vilchez, Daniela, Tateishi‐Serruto, Francisco Jose, Butler, Christopher, Cuba‐Fuentes, María Sofía, Perez‐Leon, Silvana, Lúcar‐Flores, Miriam, Almeida‐Huanca, Guillermo, Olaya‐Silva, L. Carolina, Miranda, J. Jaime, Cardenas, Maria Kathia, Tudela, Jose Carlos Vera, Bernabe‐Ortiz, Antonio, Calvo, Rafael A., Diez‐Canseco, Francisco, Landeiro, Filipa Trigo, Moore, Graham ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6136-3978, White, Lee, Whiteley, William, Lazo‐Porras, María and Hawkins, Jemma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1998-9547 2026. The patient journey for people with dementia and their carers in Peru: From first symptoms to diagnosis and treatment. Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association 22 (7) , e71581. 10.1002/alz.71581

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION We explored how people with dementia (PwD) and their carers navigate Peru's health system for diagnosis and treatment. METHODS We interviewed PwD (n = 4), carers (n = 18), and healthcare workers (n = 17) from four sites. We developed a patient journey map using thematic analysis and participant validation. RESULTS Three journey stages emerged. Pre-diagnosis: Families seek care across different sub-health systems and facilities 2–4 years after symptom onset. Diagnosis: Specialist consultation is sought in major cities and diagnosis occurs in hospitals based on clinical presentation. Continuity of care: Care focuses on controlling behavioral and psychological symptoms, with limited access to dementia-specific drugs and non-pharmacological interventions, and heavy reliance on carers’ resources. Community mental health centers (CMHCs) are preferred facilities due to geographical and specialist accessibility and perceived care quality. DISCUSSION Without a formal entry point to dementia care, families navigate fragmented pathways, whereas CMHCs emerge as facilities with adequate care procedures for PwD.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education) Research Institutes & Centres > Centre For Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer)
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	1552-5260
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	13 July 2026
Date of Acceptance:	9 May 2026
Last Modified:	21 Jul 2026 09:56
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/188168

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