Subject(s)
Advance Directives , Mental Disorders , Humans , Mental Disorders/therapy , Schizophrenia , SuicideABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the awareness of children of dementia patients with regard to financial management options available to their parents. METHODS: Questionnaire survey of the children of 74 consecutive patients referred with dementia and living on their own. SETTING: Catchment area of a district general hospital with a population of 38,000 people over the age of 65. RESULTS: The children of patients with dementia are generally poorly informed as to the legal status of their parents' financial position although all feel they require assistance and most would welcome the help of interested professionals. CONCLUSION: Much needs to and can be done to raise people's awareness of this problem. Means by which this may be accomplished are suggested.
