Estonia's dementia care system needs an overhaul, analysis finds
A Praxis think tank study found that Estonia's support system for people with dementia is fragmented, prompting the Ministry of Social Affairs to plan a unified care pathway with coordinators.
Around 27,000 people in Estonia currently live with dementia, a number expected to rise by nearly 37% to about 37,000 by 2050. The Praxis think tank conducted the first comprehensive review of how well the state support system meets the needs of people with dementia and their families, and the findings were discouraging: there is currently no unified system of help, healthcare and social protection services are poorly connected, and access to support often depends on what a particular local municipality can offer.
No single coordinator
Praxis analyst Jaane Ester says the core problem is the absence of a single care pathway linking different institutions, especially the social and medical sectors. She argues that every person with dementia should be assigned a coordinator who proactively contacts the person and their family, assesses their situation, and carries out regular needs evaluations. According to Ester, the state must build a system that supports both the person with dementia and their relatives, with clearly defined boundaries of responsibility between institutions and specialists, so that people no longer have to search on their own for where to turn for help.
Planned reform
Estonia's Ministry of Social Affairs plans to establish a single care pathway covering everything from the first signs of memory problems and diagnosis through consultations, needs assessment, and access to services. Kadri Mets, head of disability rights policy, said a key change will be the introduction of the TERVIK model — a coordination system meant to improve interaction between the medical and social sectors. Through a medical pathway coordinator, help will be organized primarily for people in complex situations with multiple chronic conditions, including dementia. Another initiative involves technology solutions intended to help elderly people and those with special needs live at home longer and more safely.
As part of the healthcare and social sector reform, the TERVIK cooperation model is planned to be introduced in every region, with coordinators available to link different types of support for people with special needs. Launch of the service is planned for May 2028.
