[The elderly patient with dementia in the family: principles of counseling relatives].

For the majority of demented elderly persons the family is the most important resource of support. Living with a demented family member lays a heavy strain on the care-givers. Appropriate counselling may reduce the care-givers' burden and enable them to be more effective. In the present report, some general guidelines of family support are proposed, summarising two years of experience in a special outpatient clinic for the demented elderly.