Dementia Support Australia provides a GP Advice Service for those treating people who show behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
The service offers general practitioners direct access to clinical advice from a medical specialist to help manage these symptoms. Dementia Support Australia’s team of medical specialists include geriatricians and geriatric psychiatrists who specialise in the care of people experiencing BPSD.
Up to 95% of people living with dementia will experience forms of BPSD during their journey with the disease.
Head of Dementia Professional Services, Marie Alford said the GP Advice Service was designed to be as easy as possible for busy general practitioners to access. “We recognise that in the day-to-day work of running their practice it may not be possible for GPs to make a call or discuss a patient during normal business hours,” Alford said. GPs will have the option to receive an email or call back for a one-on-one discussion.
Carers of people living with dementia are often the first to witness the signs of BPSD. These may include psychosis, agitation and aggression, depression, anxiety, apathy, impulsivity, pacing, vocalisations, appetite and eating changes, sleep disturbances, distress during personal care and wayfinding difficulties.
Associate Professor Steve Macfarlane, geriatric psychiatrist said it was now generally accepted that psychotropic medications have a limited role in the management of BPSD. “Non-pharmacological strategies should be an important part in the management of dementia complicated by BPSD,” A/Prof Macfarlane said. “We want to do all we can to support GPs to consider alternatives to medication, but also to aid rational prescribing in those circumstances where medications are necessary.”
Timely access to expert advice for people living with dementia and their carers in regional or remote towns provides the opportunity to receive treatment strategies based on personal history and GP-provided clinical information representing a significant step forward.
For more information on the GP Advice Service (GPAS), please contact us on 1800 699 799, visit dementia.com.au/gpadvice.
The service offers general practitioners direct access to clinical advice from a medical specialist to help manage these symptoms. Dementia Support Australia’s team of medical specialists include geriatricians and geriatric psychiatrists who specialise in the care of people experiencing BPSD.
Up to 95% of people living with dementia will experience forms of BPSD during their journey with the disease.
Head of Dementia Professional Services, Marie Alford said the GP Advice Service was designed to be as easy as possible for busy general practitioners to access. “We recognise that in the day-to-day work of running their practice it may not be possible for GPs to make a call or discuss a patient during normal business hours,” Alford said. GPs will have the option to receive an email or call back for a one-on-one discussion.
Carers of people living with dementia are often the first to witness the signs of BPSD. These may include psychosis, agitation and aggression, depression, anxiety, apathy, impulsivity, pacing, vocalisations, appetite and eating changes, sleep disturbances, distress during personal care and wayfinding difficulties.
Associate Professor Steve Macfarlane, geriatric psychiatrist said it was now generally accepted that psychotropic medications have a limited role in the management of BPSD. “Non-pharmacological strategies should be an important part in the management of dementia complicated by BPSD,” A/Prof Macfarlane said. “We want to do all we can to support GPs to consider alternatives to medication, but also to aid rational prescribing in those circumstances where medications are necessary.”
Timely access to expert advice for people living with dementia and their carers in regional or remote towns provides the opportunity to receive treatment strategies based on personal history and GP-provided clinical information representing a significant step forward.
For more information on the GP Advice Service (GPAS), please contact us on 1800 699 799, visit dementia.com.au/gpadvice.