One chapter in the guideline covers the post-diagnostic supports for people with dementia and their family carers (Chapter 5). Primary care providers should provide individualised management plan to address the changing needs at different stages of dementia, which usually follow a slow deterioration and a functional dependency along the journey of dementia care from diagnosis to end-of-life (Department of Health, 2017b, p. 33).

References:

Department of Health. (2017b). Hong Kong Reference Framework for Preventive Care for Older Adults in Primary Care Settings: Module on Cognitive Impairment. Retrieved from https://www.fhb.gov.hk/pho/rfs/english/pdf_viewer.html?file=download215&title=string258&titletext=string189&htmltext=string189&resources=07_Module_on_Cognitive_Impairment

For the patients with any kind of dementia, it is recommended to assess the progression of cognitive impairment at least every 3 months, given that a wide range of psychological and behavioural manifestations are presented in each patient. Therefore, it is recommended to recognise promptly the needs of the patient and family to refer the corresponding health personnel (geriatrician, neurologist, psychiatrist, neuropsychologist, nutritionist, occupational and physical therapist) to the second and third levels of care within an appropriate time frame.

The SASOP guideline briefly mentions accommodation and level of supervision required after diagnosis and refers the reader to seek support from primary care facilities, social clubs, senior centres, day-care and respite-care centres, as well as the NGO sector (Emsley et al., 2013). However, there is no mention in the SASOP guideline of information regarding questions 04.06.04.05-04.06.04.08 below. The Department of Health Standard treatment guidelines at hospital level mentions family counselling and support in a one-line statement under general measures and provide guideline for medication in palliative care generally (not dementia-specific) (DOH, 2018; Maartens et al., 2015).

References:

DOH. (2018). Standard Treatment Guidelines And Essential Medicines List for South Africa: Primary healthcare level. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107415324.004

Emsley, R., & Seedat, S. (2013). The South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) treatment guidelines for psychiatric disorders. South African Journal of Psychiatry, 19(3), 127–196. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v19i3.942

Maartens, G., Benson, F., Blockman, M., Clark, C., Bamford, L., Bera, R., Brits, H., & Dheda, M. (2015). Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa: Hospital Level. Available from: https://extranet.who.int/ncdccs/Data/ZAF_D1aia_Hospital%20level%20(Adult)%202015.pdf