Understanding current practice and challenges to the implementation of rehabilitation for dementia: Insights from Malaysia and beyond

Dementia poses a significant challenge globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where resources for care are limited. The World Health Organisation (WHO) emphasises the importance of rehabilitation in addressing dementia-related disabilities, yet there remains a gap between recommendations and actual provision of rehabilitation services. Various therapies have shown positive outcomes, especially when initiated early, leading WHO to introduce a Package of Interventions for Rehabilitation in 2023. However, this may not fully address challenges faced by countries like Malaysia, which has seen a surge in dementia cases amidst an aging population. Research, focusing on Malaysia, aims to explore healthcare professionals' practices, beliefs, and attitudes towards dementia rehabilitation, identifying barriers and enablers to implementation within the healthcare system. The study seeks to inform strategies, resources, and policies to integrate rehabilitation into clinical practice and health systems, potentially benefiting other low- and middle-income countries with similar healthcare setups. Key research questions and aims focus on understanding current practices, attitudes, barriers, and enablers to implementing dementia rehabilitation in Malaysia.