Mental health : Dementia

Worldwide, the number of people with dementia is estimated to double to 115 million by 2050. Dementia presents healthcare with one of the biggest economical and social challenges of the 21st century with research often showing that people with dementia, and their families, receive poorly integrated care. Care of people with dementia has particular implications for primary care, with two thirds of people with dementia living in their own home or in care homes, cared for by their general practitioner (GP). National policy initiatives like the Dementia Strategy and more recent Prime Minister's Dementia Challenge are focused on more timely diagnosis and improving the quality of post-diagnostic care.

The aim of this session is to summarise current evidence, and describe best practice, in the primary care management of people diagnosed with dementia.