[Dementia care in Germany].

In Germany there are approximately 1.6 million people with dementia. A quarter of them live in a care home, often alongside residents who have a physical condition. The quality of nursing for physical conditions is good; although specialised dementia care is less developed, this lag is slowly being addressed. Medical care in German care homes is delivered by GPs. Preservation of life is the norm. Due to the lack of both advance care planning and a non-resuscitation policy, many care home residents with dementia undergo life-extending measures. Through the use of an advance health care directive, people can protect themselves from such a situation occurring.