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Recommendations are made regarding future directions for research and implications for training of health professionals providing direct service or consultation in dementia care.

The findings from this study are consistent with terror management theory; specifically, older age and terminal illness are associated with greater DA. Implications are discussed regarding the quality of care provided to older people with dementia.

Objective: To explore health professionals' (clinicians) approach to the provision of care in a dementia setting. Methods: Participants were clinicians from two older persons' mental health services (community and inpatient). Participants completed an interview about strategies to engage with, and barriers to providing person-centred care to consumers with a co-morbid diagnosis of dementia. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: Three main themes were developed through analysis of the interview data:(1) overall approach to care (synthesis of care and cure principles), (2) the challenges in the provision of care, and (3) coping strategies to manage care demands. Conclusion: Developing a relationship with a patient and attending to their medical needs were seen as optimal care, relevant to both person-centred and task-oriented approaches to dementia care. Clinicians also highlighted the importance of their own personal resources and attitudes in shaping the type of care provided. K E Y W O R D Saging, delivery of health care, dementia, geriatrics How to cite this article: McKenzie EL, Brown PM. The provision of person-centred dementia care in the context of mental health co-morbidities: 'It can be upsetting and distressing and it's incredibly sad'.

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