Munich is not a research partner in Bavarian dementia register, health department says

The City of Munich is not a research partner in the Digital Dementia Register Bavaria (digiDEM), a Bavaria-wide research and care project for people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia and the relatives who care for them. The city's head of health, Beatrix Zurek, gave this answer to a question from city councillors. She also acknowledged that current services in Munich do not fully meet the need.

The question came from councillors Sabine Bär, Michael Dzeba, Alexandra Gaßmann, Ulrike Grimm and Veronika Mirlach of the CSU with FREIE WÄHLER group on the city council, dated 23 April 2026. They noted that the project aims to improve living conditions for those affected, particularly in rural areas. They understood that the Centre for Acute Geriatrics and Early Rehabilitation at München Klinik is listed as a point of contact after dementia screening. However, no city research partner appeared on the project's website.

In her answer, Ms Zurek said the project's research partners are mainly professionals from care services such as advice centres, memory clinics, hospitals and home care services. The Health Department's "Healthy in Old Age" unit follows digiDEM's research through its publications and regularly takes part in its online events.

Ms Zurek said Munich already offers a wide range of support for people with cognitive impairment or dementia and their families. This includes medical care and diagnosis, prevention, advice services, and housing and care options. However, feedback from professionals shows gaps in several areas. These include early detection, initial outpatient care and diagnosis, especially for people who live alone. There are also gaps in suitable housing, places in care homes, geriatric and gerontopsychiatric services, and rehabilitation. People with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia find few specialised services.

The Munich Working Group on Gerontopsychiatry, which includes the Social Services Department and the Health Department, has identified further problems. It found that people with dementia leaving hospital often struggle to receive care in existing community services for older people. It also noted that the district of Upper Bavaria has so far excluded people with dementia from its gerontopsychiatric services. People with dementia who live alone face a considerable risk of not getting enough care.

Ms Zurek said the number of older and very old people in Munich is growing. This means more people will be affected by cognitive impairment, dementia or greater care needs. As a result, demand will rise for early detection, advice, outpatient support and suitable housing and care.