Dementia Advocacy in Peru
From May 12-15, Diego Aguilar, ADI Regional Director for the Americas, visited Lima, Peru, to support national advocacy efforts and elevate regional cooperation on dementia. Coordinating closely with ADI’s long-standing member association in the country, Asociación Peruana de Enfermedad de Alzheimer y Otras Demencias (APEAD), the visit included high-level government meetings, site visits to community-based services, and speaking engagements across four major international events on brain health and dementia.
A highlight of the visit was the meeting at the Peruvian Ministry of Health with Dr. July Caballero, Director of Mental Health, joined by Sonia Vela, President of APEAD. Dr. Caballero confirmed that she is currently leading the development of the country’s National Dementia Plan and preparing a formal request for a budget to support its implementation; a critical step in translating Peru’s Alzheimer’s legislation into practice.
Diego said:
This is a vital step forward for Peru. We have long advocated for turning the national Alzheimer’s law into real action, and this momentum gives us renewed hope.
Sonia Vela added:
This meeting reflects years of advocacy. As civil society, we will continue pushing forward to ensure the Plan becomes a reality — with participation, accountability, and funding.
Diego also visited Casa Tovar, the community center where APEAD carries out its day-to-day services, meeting with the board and participating in a cognitive stimulation session for older adults, witnessing the heart of APEAD’s work; a warm, dignified space for people living with dementia and their families.
During his visit, Diego and Sonia spoke at four high-profile international events held in Lima:
- Global Leaders Panel at the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) Annual Meeting
- IMPACT Salud Action Workshop
- World Dementia Council (WDC) Satellite Summit – co-chaired by Dr. Ricardo Allegri (Argentina) and Dr. Paulo Caramelli (Brazil)
- AAIC Satellite Symposium, organised by the Alzheimer’s Association and chaired by Peruvian neurologist Dr. Nilton Custodio
Across these events, Diego stressed the role of civil society in advancing dementia-inclusive systems, the need for cross-country collaboration, and the urgency of health system reform. The events also featured active participation from leaders of Fundación TASE (Ecuador), ALMA (Argentina), FEBRAZ (Brazil), and Asociación Alzheimer Bolivia, underscoring the strength and unity of the ADI regional network in Latin America.
Argentina moves forward on dementia policy, receiving key support by Health Commission
On 20 May , a significant step was taken towards strengthening dementia policy in Argentina as the Health and Social Action Commission of the Chamber of Deputies approved a draft law focused on dementia. The session, presided over by Dr. Pablo Yedlin, marked a milestone for dementia legislation and cross-party collaboration.
The bill, officially titled the “Law on the Promotion of Brain Health and the Fight Against Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias”, was introduced by Deputy Facundo Manes, a parliamentarian, neurologist and long-time advocate for cognitive health and collaborator with ADI. During the session, Deputy Manes underscored the importance of early action, public investment, and support for carers, highlighting the law’s potential to transform how Argentina responds to one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time.
The proposal received wide backing, with 22 of the 27 deputies present signing the committee’s favorable opinion. Legislators from across the political spectrum voiced their support, praising the bill’s technical rigor and its alignment with global health priorities on dementia and mental health. The initiative will now advance to the Budget and Finance Commission.
In the lead-up to this important legislative moment, ALMA, the Asociación Lucha contra el Mal de Alzheimer, ADI’s member in Argentina, led a highly successful public advocacy campaign alongside ADI, campaigning under the hashtag #LeyAlzheimerYa (Alzheimer’s Law Now). The campaign mobilised widespread support through social media, raising awareness and calling on policymakers to take action. This effort helped elevate the visibility of the session and ensured that the voices of families affected by dementia were part of the national conversation.
ADI welcomes this progress and applauds the leadership of Deputy Facundo Manes and Chair Pablo Yedlin, as well as all the legislators and civil society organisations who contributed to shaping and supporting the bill. As dementia continues to impact over half a million people in Argentina, this development marks an important step toward a comprehensive national response grounded in dignity, equity, and care.
ADI will continue to support Argentina’s efforts through regional and global advocacy, working to ensure that national plans become meaningful, sustained commitments.
International digital campaign in partnership with Carlos Slim Foundation
ADI is proud to share that we have joined with the Carlos Slim Foundation (Fundación Carlos Slim) to launch a new digital resource that seeks to increase awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in Latin America.
This resource, available in Spanish through the ClikiSalud portal, provides clear and accessible information about risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and answers to frequently asked questions. It is a concrete step that makes knowledge more accessible to the public and further supports those living with dementia and their families in the Latin American region.