Neurologists, psychiatrists, geriatricians, psychologists, occupational, and physical therapists, specialist nurses are few but are responsible for coordinating the care of people with dementia (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2017). Once neurologists make a diagnosis through clinician judgment and based on medical history, laboratory tests, and scans performed by laboratory technicians and radiologists respectively, they prescribe medications. Psychologists or psychiatric nurses provide psychosocial interventions while other specialists like psychiatrists and occupational therapists are referred for further management. Often, the specialists are not available (particularly in rural areas) and therefore reliance is on the general medical officers and nurses who may not have the expertise on dementia care (Musyimi et al., 2019).

References:

Alzheimer’s Disease International. (2017). Dementia in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and opportunities. London, UK. https://www.alzint.org/u/dementia-sub-saharan-africa.pdf

Musyimi, C., Mutunga, E., & Ndetei, D. (2019). Stigma and dementia care in Kenya: Strengthening Responses to Dementia in Developing Countries (STRiDE) Project. In World Alzheimer Report 2019: Attitudes to dementia (pp. 121–122). London, UK: Alzheimer’s Disease International. https://www.alzint.org/u/WorldAlzheimerReport2019.pdf