Enhancing Neurodegeneration Awareness and Care for the Elderly in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Qatar: Challenges, Policy Gaps, and Future Directions

GCC countries are experiencing a rapid demographic transition. Life expectancy at birth has increased to between 76-80 years, and the elderly population is expected to double by 2050. This demographic transition is accompanied by a growing burden of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease, placing increasing demands on health and social care systems. This study examines three interconnected dimensions of the crisis: awareness of neurodegeneration among older people, the infrastructure and human capacity of care systems and the existing gaps that media, technology and community institutions might be able to bridge. Studies show that cognitive decline is frequently viewed as a natural consequence of aging rather than as a medical disorder that requires diagnosis and treatment. Limited health literacy, culturally constructed perceptions of health and illness, and use of informal support mechanisms, including family, religious, and community elders, could all be factors that influence the decision to seek health care. Stigma, limited awareness, and concerns about seeking institutional care may contribute to delays in diagnosis and treatment. On the care side, where families provide a substantial proportion of support for older adults, the region faces shortages of specialized professionals, including neurologists and geriatricians. Available care models are often fragmented and insufficiently integrated, while formal caregiver training and support remain limited in many settings, contributing to the burden on families. These results suggest that there may be room to enhance screening, referrals, and health literacy through increased coverage by mainstream media, collaborations with religious and community organizations, and broader implementation of telemedicine. Drawing on selected international examples from Japan, Sweden, Australia, and the United Kingdom, the paper proposes a multi-part policy framework comprising a national awareness campaign, strengthening of the geriatric healthcare workforce, a care provider certificate program, and digital health. The paper underlines the need for culturally appropriate, collaborative action to build more integrated and person-centered neurodegenerative care systems throughout the GCC.