Early dementia--optimal management in general practice.

BACKGROUND: The assessment and management of dementia is complex. General practitioners are often the first point of contact for people with dementia, and their families. General practitioners have a key role in providing quality primary care in terms of the identification, assessment, provision of information, referral and ongoing management.
OBJECTIVE: This article discusses the role of the GP in the diagnosis and management of people with dementia. DISCUSSION: It is important GPs are aware of the importance of early detection of dementia. Dementia is a complex condition. It develops slowly and early signs of dementia are very subtle. Difficulty in detecting the transition between normal aging and the onset of dementia and the lack of a definitive diagnostic tool often precludes early diagnosis. Evidence based recommendations are available to assist GPs in the diagnosis and ongoing management of people with dementia.