JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Population aging is a global phenomenon driving an increase in age-related conditions, particularly dementia, and creating substantial challenges for healthcare systems, caregivers, and society. Technology offers valuable opportunities to support people living with dementia and their caregivers in daily functioning, communication, and care management. However, despite global recognition of dementia as a public health priority, only a quarter of countries have national dementia plans, and even fewer systematically incorporate technological solutions. This viewpoint explores, identifies, and analyzes critical gaps in national dementia policies, especially regarding the limited inclusion of technology as a strategic component of dementia care. It provides a global perspective, followed by a regional examination of Latin America, and culminates with a focused analysis of Mexico’s current approach. Drawing from this analysis, the article argues for the urgent integration of technology within Mexico’s national dementia strategy, ensuring that proposed solutions align with the country’s sociocultural context and effectively address the needs of individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. As dementia has been acknowledged as a global health priority and other countries have navigated the complexities of population aging, diverse technologies have already been developed and implemented. These international experiences offer valuable guidance for regions in the process of initiating or advancing their policies on these topics. Ultimately, the insights gained from analyzing dementia policies across Latin America extend beyond the Mexican context and contribute to informing regional approaches more comprehensively.