Prevalence of Dementia Among Older Adults in the Long-Term Care System in Health Service Region 7

Abstract

Dementia is an increasingly significant health burden in Thailand’s aging society, particularly within the Long-term Care system, which supports a large number of dependent older adults. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and distribution of dementia among older adults registered in the Long-term Care system in Health Service Region 7. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was employed utilizing secondary data from the 2025 LTC registry collected from April to October 2025, which comprises 4,121 older adults assessed for dementia according to the Ministry of Public Health’s screening protocols. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation.

The findings showed that most older adults were female, totaling 2,751 individuals (66.76 %), with a mean age of 71.80 years (S.D. = 7.90). Regarding dependency levels, 2,000 older adults (48.53 %) had mild dependency, 1,500 (36.40%) had moderate dependency, and 621 (15.07%) had severe dependency. The prevalence of older adults identified as being at risk for dementia was 6.75%, and 62.23% of those at risk were clinically confirmed, with a prevalence of confirmed 4.20%. Khon Kaen had the highest prevalence of confirmed dementia among older adults (4.97%), followed by Roi Et (3.58%), Maha Sarakham (3.52%), and Kalasin (1.74%). These findings reflect differences in population structure and the readiness of primary care service systems across provinces. This study highlights the importance of proactive screening, continuous monitoring, and strong linkage with provincial health services to support appropriate care planning, reduce caregiver burden, and strengthen the LTC system's readiness to address the growing burden of dementia among older adults.