A practical approach to dementia in the outpatient primary care setting.

As the population ages, fear of memory loss and potential diagnosis of dementia increases. Primary care providers, with their medical knowledge, familiarity with patients and their loved ones, and knowledge of the community and its resources, are perfectly placed to diagnose and treat commonly presenting types of dementia. As knowledge of the types of dementia and their categorization, presentation, and course has increased, diagnosis and treatment of this problem have become more understandable and amenable to primary care intervention. Diagnosis and work-up use common techniques and studies to assist providers. Treatment and management have evolved over time to include nonpharmacologic or behavioral interventions.