[Dementias. Diagnosis and therapy are overwhelmingly the responsibility of the family physician].
The management of elderly patients suffering from dementia is a task mainly for the general practitioner, who is in a favourable position to recognize this condition at an early stage, since he knows the patient, his family and situation. The diagnosis is facilitated by recently developed screening tests. The family doctor may also be confident to make most differential diagnostic decisions. Treatment builds on basic general medical therapy. For pharmacotherapy, modern antidementia agents, antidepressants and neuroleptic agents are available. Pharmacotherapy must be supplemented by adaptation of the patient's surroundings, and counseling of relatives. However, proper treatment of dementia is cost-intensive and puts a strain on the doctor's medications budget.
Kurz
A
A
Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Techn. Univ. München.
Speer
W
W
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012931:Social Environment
D018697:Nootropic Agents