Who cares for the carer? The often forgotten patient.
BACKGROUND
Dementia not only affects the patient but also those nearest the patient most notably the carer. It is known that caring for a patient with dementia can adversely affect one's psychological, physical, social and financial health.


OBJECTIVE
To highlight the needs of the carer of a patient with dementia and suggest means by which general practitioners may provide the necessary support for these carers.


CONCLUSIONS
The GP has a key role in providing support to the carer of the patient with dementia. General practitioners and carers can work as partners in the long term management of dementia thereby reducing the adverse health effects on the carer.
Brodaty
Henry
H
Academic Department for Old Age Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales. h.brodaty@unsw.edu.au
Green
Alisa
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003376:Counseling; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D010819:Physician's Role; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012720:Severity of Illness Index