Dementia

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Dementia is a leading health and aged care issue in Australia that has a significant impact on the health and quality of life of people with the condition.

There is currently no cure for dementia but there are strategies that can assist in maintaining independence and quality of life for as long as possible.

Undertaking quality improvement in dementia can enhance the way primary care providers provide services to patients with dementia and other health related needs. It will require health care providers to work together to explore solutions to identify early interventions for patients with chronic and complex needs.

Opportunity for general practices

Practices are invited to take part in the Practice Improvement Program for Dementia (Face Dementia), which aims to increase and improve dementia diagnosis and care in primary care across Western Victoria. Approximately 1 in 5 patients over the age of 65 are likely to live with dementia, however approximately 50% of patients with symptoms of dementia currently do not have a diagnosis, which severely affects their access to care and treatment options.

WVPHN can provide you with a copy of your practice data with regards to dementia diagnosis. The data shows the alignment of the practice data with AIHW population statistics of dementia.

The Face Dementia Program will include many benefits for your practice:

  • Improved care and treatment options for your patients.
  • 3 x 1 hour online training sessions for your GPs and Practice Nurses.
  • A toolkit of relevant practice resources
  • RACGP approved CPD hours for two CPD categories (educational activities and measuring outcomes).*

Registration for the Practice Improvement Program can be found Here

Change Ideas

Dementia – Change Ideas PDF 180KB

Plan Do Study Act (PDSA)

Improve management of patients with Dementia

Resources

Resource TypeResource Link
Data ResourcesPolar Walk through – Identify active patients with certain active diagnosis (Dementia) (PDF 312KB)
Dementia Risk – How to navigate the Dementia Risk Alert in POLAR
Dementia Risk Assessment – Clinic Summary Filter Walkthrough
A three minute clip on how to use the latest Dementia Risk Alert Walrus
GP Support – Face DementiaProblem solving with a Geriatrician
Meet together as GPs to solve problems in diagnosing and managing dementia with Geriatrician support
Detecting Dementia – The role of medical Receptionists
Supporting People living with Dementia – The role of a medical receptionist
Driving and dementia in general practice
Detecting dementia – Raising the issue in general practice
Assessing for MCI and dementia flowchart
MCI Immediate and regular review checklist
Dementia immediate review checklist
Dementia regular review checklist
HealthPathwaysBehavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)
Dementia Behaviour Management Specialised Assessment
Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
Medications for Dementia
Clinic ResourcesEarly dementia Optimal management in general practice
Dementia Australia
Dementia Training Australia
Timely Diagnosis of Dementia – APNA
Table 1: a list of resources for clinicians and non clinicians to improve the management of patients at risk of dementia

Collaborate with WVPHN by telling us about your QI activity: