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52
FiFtEENtH NatiONal CONFERENCE
Case studies will be presented to demonstrate
the effectiveness of a changed perspective and
response.
Grand Ballroom 2
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seRVIce
NON PHaRmaCOlOgiCal
maNagEmENt OF bPsds basEd ON
dEmENtia sPECiFiC mOdEls OF
CaRE
sonali Pinto
Dementia Care Consultant Southern Cross
Care (NSW & Act)
Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of
Dementia (BPSDs) are evident in at least 90%
of people with dementia during the course of
their illness and pose as one of the biggest
challenges for dementia care staff. Identifying
non pharmacological methods of managing
BPSDs requires residential aged care to focus
on designing effective care and lifestyle
models the support quality of life outcomes for
the persons with dementia.
Effective dementia and lifestyle care models
aim to increase quality of life in people with
moderate to severe dementia where BPSDs
are the most commonly developed . Non
pharmacological interventions of these models
include facilitating a culture change in staff by
introducing mandatory education in dementia
skills aimed at cert 4 levels , compulsory
dementia care competency assessments that
focus on communication, person centred care,
care mapping, dementia case conferencing,
BPSD consult reviews and lifestyle programs
for sun downing and nocturnal delirium
management .
Care models that include dementia specific
handover processes with confusion
assessment methods Brodaty's 7 tiered
service delivery model and delirium screening
assessments will help identify and minimise
the effects of Deliriums and other associated
conditions that impact on BPSDs
A combination of non drug therapies such as
music, art, movement, reminiscing, memory
retraining, validation, reality orientation,
cognitive behaviour training, milieu therapies
have produced a 70% improvement in BPSD
management when trialled in case specific
units . This is also used in adjunct with
environmental modifications with the use of
evidence based research to modify homes into
dementia friendly environments by creating
engaging internal, external areas , providing
memory cueing strategies typically Montessori
based that maintains and improves remaining
abilities in the person with the illness.
Empowering staff to facilitate culture change
via the use of a number of Evidence based
research (EBR ) projects and carer support are
all effective strategies currently used to create
a positive dementia specific model of care.
Harbour View Room 1
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LeIsURe
gEtaWay ­ yEs WE CaN!
christine atkins
"BRIGHT IDEA" early 2012 ­ lets organise
a Valentine's dinner for couples who are
living with dementia. A semi formal evening
followed for 26 couples and it was an
overwhelming success.
The success of the evening reinforced the
belief that while people living with dementia
require services to support them (day
programs, respite, Carer Support etc), they
also crave and respond to the opportunity to
do social activities that we all access take for
granted ­ a short holiday.
Was it possible to organise a group holiday for
people with dementia and their primary Carer?