Early dementia--optimal management in general practice.
BACKGROUND
The assessment and management of dementia is complex. General practitioners are often the first point of contact for people with dementia, and their families. General practitioners have a key role in providing quality primary care in terms of the identification, assessment, provision of information, referral and ongoing management.


OBJECTIVE
This article discusses the role of the GP in the diagnosis and management of people with dementia.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important GPs are aware of the importance of early detection of dementia. Dementia is a complex condition. It develops slowly and early signs of dementia are very subtle. Difficulty in detecting the transition between normal aging and the onset of dementia and the lack of a definitive diagnostic tool often precludes early diagnosis. Evidence based recommendations are available to assist GPs in the diagnosis and ongoing management of people with dementia.
Workman
Barbara
B
Monash University, and Rehabilitation and Aged Services, Southern Health, Victoria. barbara.workman@monash.edu.au
Dickson
Fiona
F
Green
Sally
S
D001315:Australia; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D058006:General Practice; D058005:General Practitioners; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role