[The development of memory clinics in The Netherlands]

Abstract

The development of memory clinics in the Netherlands. - Memory clinics (MCs) are multidisciplinary teams involved in the early diagnosis and treatment of people with dementia. Between 1998 and 2004 the number of MCs in the Netherlands increased from 13 to 40. This type of clinic is increasingly becoming part of standard care for people with early dementia and other cognitive disorders. A growing number ofMCs are collaborating structurally with local mental health care service providers. This is a positive development, in which hospital-based diagnosis and treatment are increasingly being integrated with long-term care to reach patient centred disease management.