Next steps after diagnosing dementia: interventions to help patients and families.

Next steps after diagnosing dementia: interventions to help patients and families. Pract Neurol. 2020 May 22;: Authors: Bayer A Abstract The way that a diagnosis of dementia is delivered to patients, what information is provided and what practical advice and support is arranged has a lasting impact and deserves at least as much attention as the process of assessment and investigation. Individuals and their families require an honest yet sensitive discussion about the nature and cause of their problems, using non-technical language and tailored to their priorities and needs. This should lead on to the provision of good-quality information in an accessible format. Priorities for intervention include medication review, attention to sensory deficits, appropriate pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment, best use of memory aids and strategies and discussion of driving eligibility, financial entitlement and legal advice. Referral onwards should be made to an appropriate individual or service to provide ongoing emotional and practical support and signposting. PMID: 32444477 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Practical Neurology - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Pract Neurol Source Type: research