Dementia Caregiving: The Role of the Primary Care Physician

Abstract

Suppl. 1 -S72This paper examines the responsibilities assumed by family caregivers in the care of their relatives who suffer from dementia, the effect of these responsibilities on the health and well-being of the caregivers and the role that family physicians can and should play in assisting them to manage these situations. A number of authors have described what they believe the family physicians' role should be and these positions are summarised. The findings reviewed were retrieved via computerized searches from 1985 onwards of MEDLINE, Psychinfo and Ageline, and reference lists and guidelines issued by relevant professional and advocacy o rganizations. The recommendations were reviewed at the Canadian Consensus Conference on Dementia in 1998. This background paper was prepared for that conference and was updated in June 2000. ABSTRACT:Background: Family and friends play an important role in caring for individuals with dementia living in the community. In preparation for the Canadian Consensus Conference on Dementia held in Montreal, Canada in February 1998, the subject of dementia caregiving was reviewed in order to provide primary care physicians with some guidelines for their practice. The review was updated in June 2000 in preparation for this article. Method: Pertinent English-language publications and resources from the Alzheimer Society of Canada were reviewed from 1985 onwards. Findings related to the consequences of caregiving, services for caregivers and recommendations regarding the role of the primary care physician were reviewed. Findings: Dementia caregivers experience many positive and negative consequences of caregiving. Some comprehensive services for caregivers have been shown to delay institutionalization and reduce negative consequences of caregiving. The primary care physician has a role to play in working with families and should address the following issues: 1) education about dementia; 2) psychological support for caregivers; 3) assistance mobilizing caregiver social support networks. Conclusion: Primary care physicians have an important role to play in acknowledging and supporting the caregiving provided by family and friends to individuals with dementia.RÉSUMÉ: Les soins aux déments: le rôle du médecin de première ligne. Introduction: La famille et les amis jouent un rôle important quant aux soins prodigués aux individus atteints de démence qui vivent dans la communauté. Lors de la préparation de la conférence canadienne de consensus sur la démence tenue à Montréal, Canada, en février 1998, le sujet des soins aux déments a été révisé afin de fournir aux médecins de première ligne des lignes directrices pour leur pratique. Cette revue a été mise à jour en juin 2000 pour préparer cet article. Méthode: Les publications pertinentes en anglais ont été révisées depuis 1985. Les observations reliées aux conséquences chez les aidants, aux services qui leur sont offerts et les recommandations sur le rôle du médecin de première ligne ont été révisées. Observations: Les aidants éprouvent plusie...

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