Solon seeks stronger dementia policy as cases surge among elderly Filipinos

With dementia and Alzheimer’s disease quietly rising among Filipino senior citizens, United Senior Citizens (USC) party-list Rep. Milagros “Mila” Aquino-Magsaysay is sounding the alarm and urging Congress to pass a comprehensive national policy to confront the growing mental health crisis among the elderly.

Speaking during a health conference held recently at the University of the Philippines Diliman Theater, Aquino-Magsaysay emphasized the need for government to act decisively, citing recent data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Association of the Philippines showing that nearly 800,000 Filipinos are currently living with dementia, with an additional 10.6% of adults aged 60 and above suffering from undiagnosed Alzheimer’s.

“Many of our seniors are quietly suffering, and their families are bearing the emotional and financial toll,” the lawmaker said. “We cannot continue to ignore this silent epidemic.”

Aquino-Magsaysay explained that over 60% of dementia patients in the country come from low-income families, who often cannot afford treatment or access to proper care. Dementia, she noted, is a neurocognitive disorder that severely affects memory and cognitive function, making day-to-day living difficult not only for patients but for their caregivers as well.

“Healthcare coverage for dementia and Alzheimer’s is extremely limited. Most elderly patients are left with no choice but to pay out-of-pocket, and when they can’t afford it, they simply stop treatment,” she lamented. “It’s heartbreaking.”

To address this, Aquino-Magsaysay announced she will re-file her Philippine Dementia Care Policy bill in the 20th Congress. The proposed measure aims to improve access to diagnosis, treatment, and support services; train more specialists; expand care facilities; and increase public awareness about dementia and Alzheimer’s care.

She also urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., as well as fellow lawmakers in both houses of Congress, to give mental health among seniors the attention it deserves.

“If passed, this policy will not only strengthen basic health services but also build a national support system that gives dignity and care to our elders,” she said. “We need to create a future where no elderly Filipino faces dementia alone.”