Living well with dementia

Abstract

The number of people living with dementia (PLWD) in the UK is projected to increase rapidly. Much of the contact PLWD and their carers have with the health service is through primary care. The primary care team plays an important role helping people to ‘live well with dementia’. ‘Living well with dementia’ will mean something different for everyone; a holistic, person-centred view of the concept is needed. Important aspects this concept include remaining physically/socially active, understanding the diagnosis and being involved in care decisions. Safe prescribing and regular, high-quality reviews are markers of good dementia care and support people to ‘live well’. ‘Living well’ also incorporates avoidance of adverse health outcomes, including hospitalisation, falls and delirium. As dementia prevalence increases, many more people will be living with the condition, or caring for someone with it. Supporting people with dementia and their carers to ‘live well’ needs to be a primary care priority. This article discusses ways to facilitate achievement of better support for patients living with dementia.