title: Optimising primary care for people with dementia.
abstract: This review considers key areas in primary care regarding the diagnosis of dementia. Issues surrounding assessment, policy and incentives are considered. In addition, the relevance of non-medication approaches for dementia in primary care, which aim to enhance or maintain quality of life by maximising psychological and social function in the context of existing disabilities, is deliberated. Finally, key issues about primary care medication management are considered, and relevant therapeutic strategies with recommendation for a collaborative approach that improve outcomes by linking primary and secondary healthcare services - including general practice and pharmacy - with social care needs are weighed up. A key aspect of such a collaborative approach is to support informal carers in optimising medication.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Pharmacy, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Maidment
authors.affiliation: Professor of Clinical Psychology, Center of Dementia Research and Practice, Humber NHS FT, Willerby, UK.
authors.forename: Esme
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moniz-Cook
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer/University Teaching Fellow, Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of Hull, Hull, UK.
authors.forename: Jacquie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Research Scientist, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: Jochen René
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Thyrian
authors.affiliation: Professor of Elderly Medicine, National Clinical Director for Integration & Frail Elderly, NHS England, Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford, UK.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Honorary Professor, Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Cornelius
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Katona
authors.affiliation: Professor of General Practice Research, Primary Care Sciences Research Centre, Keele University, Keele, UK.
authors.forename: Carolyn A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Chew-Graham
keywords: dementia; diagnosis; medication; primary care; psychosocial