Dementia and the need for “co-ordinated, accessible, community-based dementia services” continues to grow in an island with an ageing population, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors told the House of Assembly.

Tinée Furbert said the issue remained one of the most significant health and social care challenges around the world as she updated MPs on the Government’s Dementia Care Services Programme.

The programme was launched in October 2023 through the Office of Ageing and Disability Services to assist with care — particularly when services were otherwise unaffordable or inaccessible.

It was supported through a pilot partnership with North Star Dementia, which has since merged with Dementia Bermuda into a unified non-profit organisation.

Between October 2023 and June 2025, the programme received 188 referrals, with 144 individuals meeting the eligibility requirements and receiving funded services.

More than 480 client contacts were completed. It provided comprehensive dementia assessments, personalised care planning, caregiver education, cognitive strategies, home environment assessments, crisis prevention support and ongoing case management.

Data revealed a range of obstacles: financial barriers to dementia-related services, people who remained undiagnosed for extended periods and caregiver stress.

As of June, Dementia Bermuda was supporting 208 clients through its In-Home Occupational Therapy Programme, with 68 new referrals in the first six months of this year.

Ms Furbert said September was recognised as World Alzheimer's Month. She noted that it provided “an important opportunity to raise awareness, promote early identification and strengthen understanding and support for people living with dementia and their families”.

She also noted that World Alzheimer's Day is on September 21 and encouraged organisations “to use this important month to provide a range of accessible community education and support opportunities”.