In Scotland we have a consultant psychiatrist in charge who sees patients every six months until it is no longer deemed necessary. If they are on medication a CPN - community psychiatric nurse - will come out every six weeks or so. If no medication is given a Link worker is appointed and comes once a month for a year.
The latter will advise on help available in the form of social groups, carers, agencies, availability of benefits etc. whatever they think is needed. They report back to the consultant as does the CPN.
Although I have found this a difficult year I cannot fault the staff who have all been caring and helpful.
That does sound a good plan.
So far Dad was referred to the Memory Team, when he got a poorish result on a Mini me ory test by his GP, compared to a year previous. He had blood tests done.
Memory Team came to see Dad, did more testing, sent him for a CT scan, said he didn't have dementia, but cognitive impairment, and would see him in 6 mths.
Its now been 8 months.
They made the usual recommendations to Dad about reading, doing puzzles, joining a group etc, but I'm hard pressed to get Dad to do anything other than watch quizz shows & sport on TV
They were going to put him on an anti depressant, as they said his mood was very flat.
Dad is always like that, its his usual personality.
My sister and I both agreed that we could see no changes in Dads usual behaviours, or routines, apart from frustration with Mum who has AD.
He just doesn't understand.