• Edward Strivens and Denise Craig.
• MBBS, BSc, FACRRM, FRACP, Clinical Director, Older Persons and Subacute Services, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Cairns, QLD; and Adjunct A/Prof, James Cook University School of Medicine and Dentistry, Townsville, QLD.
• Aust Fam Physician. 2014 Apr 1; 43 (4): 170-4.

BackgroundThere are over 332 000 Australians living with dementia. On average, families notice symptoms 3 years before a firm diagnosis is made. These symptoms are chronic and typically progressive and terminal.ObjectiveTo address some key aspects of providing person-centred care for a patient diagnosed with dementia, including considerations for family and caregivers, from a general practitioner's (GP) perspective.DiscussionGPs play a crucial part in managing the needs of people with dementia and caregivers by providing ongoing support and by facilitating access to evidence-based care. Scheduled, regular reviews of people with dementia and their caregivers should become standard practice, and psychosocial interventions that can assist both parties should be offered.

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