We have attempted to provide a review that emphasizes thorough, careful and compassionate care. The physician must usually
work closely with other professional and non-professional caregivers to provide the most effective care. As in other chronic
diseases, attention to detail, planning for the future, and a commitment to provide ongoing care to patients and their families
are essential components of caring for patients with dementing illnesses.
Received from the Departments of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; University of California, San Francisco,
California; and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Supported in part by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health. 1 5-RO1-MH-33841 and 1 P50 MH40014-01, Center for
the Studies on Mental Health of the Aging, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Dr. Larson is a Henry J. Kaiser Family
Foundation Faculty Scholar in General Internal Medicine. Dr. Lo receives support from the James Picker Foundation. Dr. Williams
is the recipient of an Academic Award 7-K08-AG00318-03 from the National Institute on Aging.