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Review
. 2018 Mar;41(1):127-139.
doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2017.10.010. Epub 2017 Dec 7.

Managing Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

Lauren B Gerlach  1 , Helen C Kales  2
Affiliations
Review

Managing Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

Lauren B Gerlach et al. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2018 Mar.

Abstract

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are universally experienced by people with dementia throughout the course of the illness and cause a significant negative impact on quality of life for patients and caregivers. Nonpharmacologic treatments have been recommended as first-line treatment of BPSD by multiple professional organizations and should target patients with dementia factors, caregiver factors, and environmental factors. Psychotropic medications are often prescribed off-label without significant evidence to support their use. The Describe, Investigate, Create, Evaluate approach can provide a structured method to investigate and treat BPSD with flexibility to use in multiple treatment settings.

Keywords: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia; Caregivers; Dementia; Nonpharmacologic treatment.

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