Dementia is not a normal part of ageing
It is a chronic, progressive and terminal disease.
Debunking dementia myths
A/Professor Michael Woodward
Detecting dementia in general practice
Dr Malcolm Clarke
There are more than 400,000 Australians living with dementia, including 25,000 with younger onset dementia (below the age of 65) (see Australian dementia statistics).
Dementia is a National Health Priority Area in Australia.
Dementia Australia recognises the vital roles that general practice and primary care play in the diagnosis and treatment of dementia, from identification and diagnosis, right through to the ongoing management and care of people living with dementia.
We encourage and support general practitioners, general practice nurses, aged care workers and other health professionals in the identification, diagnosis, treatment, care and management of dementia in their patients.
Understanding the individual way in which dementia can affect a patient is a key element in enhancing patient–doctor communication and it can help you better understand a patient’s priorities for information, services and treatment.
In these pages we aim to provide you with credible, evidence-based material to help you:
- Support your skills in detection, diagnosis and management of dementia in your day-to-day practice
- Improve standards of patient care
- Review and update your knowledge of best-practice medicine
- Help you to empower your patients living with dementia and their families and carers