Management of the patient and family coping with dementing illness.

The treatment objective of medical care for the demented patient is to maximize the level of functioning and the quality of life for both the patient and the family or caregivers. The majority of patients with dementia are in the community, and most families prefer to keep their relatives out of institutions as long as possible, usually until the family's resources are exhausted. The impact of dementing illness on family health can be severe, and family members can develop physical and psychiatric disorders. The physician can perform a range of important functions in the management of the patient and family and 12 are listed which may serve as a guide for clinical practice.