Making Sense of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are an enormous public health issue. The vast majority of persons with dementia will experience significant BPSD during the course of their illness. These diverse set of symptoms contribute not only to disability in the person living with dementia but also to the level of stress and depression in family caregivers. Difficult to treat BPSD remain one of the most challenging aspects of the clinical care of persons living with dementia. While evidence-based psychosocial interventions are available to reduce caregiver stress and strengthen their skills in managing day-to-day challenges including BPSD, we urgently need to more broadly disseminate and implement these programs in care delivery settings (e.g., clinics, social services agencies) to improve access and provide necessary support for family caregivers.
Source: The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Tags: Invited Perspective Source Type: research