These mechanisms (dementia advisor or dementia-care manager) do not exist formally within the public sector. Family practitioners (general practitioners/physicians) are largely the ‘first port of call’ for seeking care (Vally, 2010), and are usually within the private sector and act as case managers for care, treatment, and referral. There is currently no coordinated care, resource or planning mechanism across departments in government for persons with dementia in South Africa. Care coordination services and support for persons living with dementia rely on the NGO sector, which primarily provide support in terms of psychoeducation, training of carers, and linking service users to support groups in their areas.

References:

Vally, Z. (2010). The assessment and management of dementia. South African Family Practice, 52(5), 392–395. https://doi.org/10.1080/20786204.2010.10874014