Support for Dementia from a Doctor
There are many healthcare professionals that provide medical service for people in the community. These people can either be in their own homes or in a care home.
GP's are the local family doctor and are most often the first point of contact for any concerns about a person's general health. They have a very important role to play in the assessment, support and treatment of people with dementia. They also provide support for carers as well.
There has been an increasing number of GP's around the country having additional training in dementia over the past few years. This means that they are able to help members of the community a lot better.
Some GP practises now work very closely with dementia or mental health specialists to get their patients the help and support they need.
If you are worried about your mental health or someone else's then the first port of call should be your GP. They will be able to assess your mental health and then decide if the matter should be taken further.
They will also be able to refer you to specialist and let you know of the help and support that is available to you in your local community.
A GP plays a vital role in the treatment, help and support that is offered to dementia sufferers as they often know the person well.
Contacting your GP about getting help with dementia is a great first step to make. They are also in charge of your primary care team that involves health visitors, carers and nurses. Please take a look at our article about nurses to find out more about their role in your care.