The role of psychiatrists in developing the skills of dementia care workers

SummaryA recommendation of the UK's National Dementia Strategy is to develop the skills of the care workers who provide day-to-day care for people with dementia. On the basis of a systematic review of the literature, we suggest evidence-based areas in which the skills of care workers can be developed to reduce the incidence of difficult behaviour and the use of antipsychotic medication in dementia. We discuss core features of carer training, education and practice. Psychiatrists involved in the training of carers can teach new skills to carers. Psychiatrists in community mental health teams can, through leadership and clinical liaison, reinforce and enable these skills in care homes, domiciliary services and in-patient settings serving people with dementia.