Dementia support

There are four clinical pathways available to assist GPs:

• Cognitive impairment and dementia – This is the main clinical pathway outlining assessment, management and referral for people experiencing memory loss or who have been diagnosed with dementia.
• Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) – This pathway outlines assessment, management and referral related to non-cognitive symptoms of dementia such as aggression, agitation, depression, wandering and disinhibited behaviours.
• Five-minute neurological exam for patients with possible dementia – This is a focused neurological examination suitable for a general practice setting.
• Medications for dementia – These outline use of cholinesterase inhibitors in management of certain types of dementia.

Referral pages on HealthPathways also include information about referring to local cognitive, dementia and memory services (CDAMS) for diagnosis, as well as services to assist with behaviour management. Also included are resources such as national helplines, carer support services, respite providers and local support groups.

Research by Dementia Australia found that people felt overwhelmed with information at the time of a dementia diagnosis. Hard copy resources, to be used when ready, are preferred.

Responding to this, we have produced a consumer information sheet, Dementia: resources and support to help you live well, for GPs and other service providers to give to patients at the time of diagnosis, for later reference.

It includes information about key organisations, including Dementia Australia, Carer Gateway, My Aged Care, and the NDIS.

It was developed by, and tested with, consumers, carers, people with lived experience, representatives from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, allied health and primary care clinicians and a range of partner organisations.

• It can be downloaded here in English, Greek, Italian, Simplified Chinese and Vietnamese.
• Clinicians can find it under ‘Information for patients’ on HealthPathways Melbourne.

It also includes a QR code to a directory of local dementia services and supports available in the northern and western suburbs of Melbourne.

Local directories of dementia-relevant services have been created by each primary health network. Dementia Australia Helpline operators will use these to support carers, families and patients.

If you are interested in placing a print order for these resources, please email info@healthpathwaysmelbourne.org.au

• Dementia Training Australia’s Dementia Demystified course offers a practical and step-wise approach to improving your knowledge, skills and confidence in recognising, diagnosing and managing dementia in the general practice setting.
• For further training options, visit Dementia Training Australia’s online course catalogue and look out for education sessions on our events calendar.