Assessment and Management of People with Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)

This Australian practical handbook is a reference for health staff working in settings where they will care for people with dementia and BPSD. The handbook presupposes that a person with dementia and behavioral disturbance may be viewed as ‘a difficult or disruptive person’, particularly if the clinician has little experience in this area. Although the behavior may be challenging, the person is unwell and
requires care. The key principles for providing care are: 1. Person-centered care (emphasizing understanding the person, not the behavior or disease to be ‘‘managed’’); Multidisciplinary and multi-team care (clinical challenges requiring expertise from different health professions); and 3. Legal and ethical responsibilities (diminished capacity for consent forces health professionals to consider ethical and legal challenges).

Source: NSW Ministry of Health and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. (May 2013). Assessment and Management of People with Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD). https://www.ranzcp.org/files/resources/reports/a-handbook-for-nsw-health-clinicians-bpsd_june13_w.aspx