The Kintun program for families with dementia: From novel experiment to national policy (innovative practice)

Abstract

The Kintun program is the first public health strategy specifically designed for dementia care in Chile. It was launched in 2013 in the city of Santiago with support from the National Service for the Elderly and the Municipality of Penalolen. Using an interdisciplinary team, the program seeks to promote community integration and better support for persons with dementia and their caregivers. The multicomponent program includes: an activity-based day care center, training and education of family caregivers, home visits, and community outreach to increase dementia awareness. Case management helps to monitor ongoing needs and link families to resources. To date, 259 dyads (persons with dementia and their families) have been enrolled in the program. Due to its success in 2015, the Kintun program received funding from the Ministry of Health. This has led to the integration of previously disparate initiatives, better consistency across services, and the development of a comprehensive national dementia plan for Chile.