Understanding and Responding to Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
What You’ll Learn
- Understand that behavioral symptoms of dementia are a form of communicating unmet needs, untreated symptoms, or other distress
- Describe the difference between behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and the different patient, caregiver, and environmental factors that can lead to these symptoms
- Employ a framework for finding the root cause of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, and describe both non-pharmacological and pharmacological responses to these symptoms
This course was created with generous support from the nonprofit Gary and Mary West Health Institute.
What You’ll Earn
Only CAPC members who are logged in can earn the following free Continuing Education Credits:
- 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
- Case Management: 1.00 CE
- Nursing: 1.00 CNE, 0.40 Pharmacotherapy
- Social Work: 1.00 CE (NYSED)
- Social Work: 1.00 CE (NASW)
To take this course, log in. Or, check here to see if your organization is a member.
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Tools & Resources
Print or email this handout of caregiver resources for education and support.
Evidence-based indications, benefits, and cautions for using medication to treat the behavioral symptoms of dementia. Center to Advance Palliative Care, 2018.
Course citations. Center to Advance Palliative Care, 2018.
A journal article about a study of the effects of a nonpharmacologic intervention, Music and Memory (M&M), on residents with dementia and/or behavioral problems living in nursing homes.
Course Faculty
Cindy Barton, MSN, GNP, BC. Nurse Practitioner, UCSF Memory and Aging Center.
Andrew E. Esch, MD, MBA. Consultant Center to Advance Palliative Care.
Stefanie Bonigut, LCSW. Family Services Manager. Alzheimer's Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada.
Jim Palmer, MSW, LCSW. Palliative Care Social Worker. Mount Sinai Hospital.
Marta Kazandijan, MA, CCC-SLP, BSC-S. Director, Division Speech Pathology and Swallowing. New York Presbyterian Queens and Silvercrest Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.
Gina Decker. Caregiver.
Constance Dahlin, MSN, ANP-BC, ACHPN, FPCN, FAAN. Consultant, Center to Advance Palliative Care.
Peer Reviewers
Melissa Bakar, MD. Assistant Professor, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.*
Komal D’Souza, MD. Palliative Medicine, Northwestern Medicine. *
Nora Brennan, RN. Cardiology. University of Pennsylvania Hospital System.
Timothy Adams, RN. Palliative Care. Tanner Medical Center.
Kristin Chouinard, RN, CHPN. Gerontology. North Shore Elder Services, Partners Healthcare.
Philip Higgins, PhD, LICSW. President, Lighthouse Counseling of Salem, Inc.
*indicates ABIM Peer Reviewer
Contact information: For answers to frequently asked questions about CAPC courses, read the Online Course FAQ. For technical questions about course activity, email membership@capc.org. For questions about continuing education credits, contact 201-957-0077.
Provided by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.