1. Behavioural and psycholoigcal symptoms of dementia: Assessment and management

In this journal article by Dr Vanessa Mok (2019), a consultant from Changi General Hospital’s department of psychological medicine, she explains the various causes of behaviour changes associated with dementia, such as:

• Neurobiology;
• Acute medical conditions;
• Unmet needs;
• Pre-existing personality;
• Factors related to caregivers; and
• Factors related to environmental triggers.

The journal describes the process care professionals can use to assess the presenting behaviour changes in detail, and the pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions that professionals can consider to manage or treat these behaviours. The non-pharmacological interventions do not only aim to address persons living with dementia, but also family caregivers and the surrounding environment. To access the journal article, click on the link in the reference below.

Reference

Mok, V. W. L. (2019). Behavioural and psycholoigcal symptoms of dementia: Assessment and management. The Singapore Family Physician, 45(3), 1-6. https://www.cfps.org.sg/publications/the-singapore-family-physician/article/1458_pdf

2. Talking Point | CNA Insider

Looking after a loved one living with dementia can be frustrating. In this episode of Talking Point, it provides caregivers with some tips on what to do when they face the following 3 scenarios – when the person living with dementia:

1. Refuses to bathe
2. Forgets that he/ she has eaten and keeps demanding for food
3. Accuses the caregiver or others of stealing

3. UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Video series

The Multicampus Programs in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology (MPGMG) at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA created a series of videos on understanding and managing behaviours associated with dementia.

Every video scenario shows:

• The common response that family caregivers give in order to manage the behaviour change exhibited by their loved ones living with dementia;

• An expert’s explanation about the behaviour change, with tips to identify and minimise the triggers and suggestions for redirection; and

•  The recommended response (incorporating the tips) that family caregivers can show instead to better manage the behaviour change.

This site also provides a Take Action worksheet that allows caregivers and care professionals to record what they can do to minimise the triggers of the behaviour changes.

Watch the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Video series now.

4. Fact Sheets Developed by Overseas Dementia Associations

There are other behaviour changes that a person living with dementia may exhibit. For each of the following list of behaviour changes, there are overseas resources which:

• Define each behaviour change;
• Detail their possible causes and underlying unmet needs; and
• Suggest some plausible strategies to manage them at the time and when the behaviours have passed (to prevent the behaviours in future).

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of resources. Click on the logos to access the fact sheets and websites for further reading.