Hello everyone, We know that evening hours can sometimes be difficult for people with dementia, so this week we have a few ideas for how to help residents relax and get to sleep more easily. Have a staff or a family member give the person a gentle hand or back massage using a lightly scented […]
Tag: non-pharmacologic
Pay Attention to Apathy
Hello everyone, “The squeaky wheel gets the oil” is a well-known proverb. In terms of challenging behaviors, the man running down the hall naked or the woman crying loudly at lunch generally get our attention more quickly than the quiet lady in room 101 who likes to keep to herself and “isn’t any trouble.” In […]
Detecting Delirium
Hello everyone, Dementia and old age are the strongest risk factors for delirium, a condition of acute confusion and rapid changes in brain function. It is important to distinguish delirium from behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, as delirium is a medical emergency that should be addressed immediately by the healthcare team. Delirium typically involves […]
What do you know about antipsychotic drug use in LTC?
Hello everyone, While the use of antipsychotic drugs in long term care facilities has been steadily decreasing in recent years, it remains an issue that facilities must be diligent about to ensure these drugs are used appropriately. Knowledge about the use of antipsychotics to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) is imperative. Improving […]
Attention to apathy
Hello everyone, “The squeaky wheel gets the oil” is a well-known proverb. In terms of challenging behaviors, the man running down the hall naked or the woman crying loudly at lunch generally get our attention more quickly than the quiet lady in room 101 who likes to keep to herself and “isn’t any trouble.” In […]
Non-pharmacological approaches to BPSD
Hello everyone, Last week we discussed some of the negative side effects of psychotropic drugs commonly used to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and a 5-step approach to reduce their use. The next step is to explore alternatives to pharmacologic treatment to decrease these challenging behaviors. Educating staff and loved ones of […]