Dementia care across the Gulf Cooperation Council: a scoping review to inform care system development in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract Dementia prevalence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is projected to increase dramatically, yet no systematic synthesis of peer-reviewed evidence on dementia care services in the region exists. This scoping review mapped research on dementia care services and system-level gaps across the six GCC countries to inform policy and planning in the United Arab Emirates. Following the Arksey and O’Malley framework, eight databases were searched for studies published between 2010 and 2025. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority did not explicitly describe formal dementia care services, reflecting limited dedicated provision. Family-based care predominates, shaped by cultural norms of filial responsibility. Stigma and normalisation of cognitive decline contribute to delayed help-seeking. Workforce knowledge gaps are widespread, caregiver support remains limited, and access to formal services appears stratified by citizenship status. These findings reveal marked misalignments with the WHO Global Action Plan on Dementia and underscore the need for national strategies and equitable service provision. Clinical Trial Number: Not Applicable