Dementia - Diagnosis and Management: What You Need to Know - Mount Gambier

This activity aims to provide participants with a timely opportunity in supporting rural GP's, Registrars, practice nurses and other primary health practitioners to increase their knowledge and skill set related to the management and appropriate use of medication in Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD). 

Total lecture hours:

2.00

Total contact hours:

2.00

Learning objective

At the completion of this workshop participants will be able to:

Describe an approach to cognitive assessment for the older patient with memory or behaviour concerns

Formulate a management plan for the patient with newly diagnosed dementia.

List the main medications used in the management of Alzheimer's dementia, including their efficacy and side effects.

Formulate a management plan for the patient with escalating behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. 

Assessment info

Dementia is the single greatest cause of disability in older Australians and it is the second leading cause of death nationally. Although people with dementia can remain living in the community setting longer with appropriate support, they also account for fifty two percent of all residents living in aged care facilities. These figures are expected to rise in the future as the population ages.

There is no single test to identify dementia; assessment may include a battery of structured assessments, blood/urine tests and imaging, which may need to occur over multiple presentations. Early identification of cognitive impairment means early access to support, information and medication.