ABSTRACT
The literature on partial autonomy is rich and various, but a common theme runs through: that persons suffering from dementing processes are indeed restricted in their autonomy. This chapter sets out these issues in the context of the primary care team charged with a responsibility for community care of the elderly demented patient. In the UK, the primary care of patients takes place in different types of environment. Primary care teams who care for demented patients need to consider issues around the end of life, providing holistic care, formal treatment options and many other issues that have an ethical substructure. The American Geriatrics Society has stated firmly that views expressed by patients prior to the onset of incapacitating illnesses should be respected. The limits of information sharing are often discussed with respect to capacitous patients, but J. C. Hughes and S. J. Louw draw professionals' attention to an aspect of dementia care not often addressed, that of confidentiality.
