DTA Medications vs A Clinician’s BPSD Guide

Key information about medication use in dementia care at your fingertips! This App was developed to assist residential aged care staff working with people living with dementia to improve a number of aspects of medication use. There are two sections. The first provides recommendations and information relating to the optimal use of antipsychotic medications for responsive behaviours, including management plans, monitoring and side effects. The second section details medications that may adversely affect cognition, which may be useful when exploring reasons for changes in cognition in residents with dementia who are using these medications. The information is presented in a straightforward, easy to navigate format to ensure its usefulness in all aged care environments.The content in the App includes suggestions and information only and any changes to medication or care should be undertaken in consultation with the client’s usual prescriber and healthcare team.

This app is focused on understanding and helping people experiencing changed behaviours and psychological symptoms associated with dementia. This version was developed to provide guidance for clinicians. The partner app CareForDementia was developed for care partners, families and care workers. UNSW Sydney received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care to develop both apps. By downloading this app you agree to the disclaimer below. The app provides summary information relevant to the most commonly presenting behaviours and psychological symptoms associated with dementia (BPSD)*: * A description of the symptom and how it presents in dementia * Potential causes and/or contributing factors * Differential diagnosis * Assessment tools * Principles of care or conclusions based on a review of available literature * Precautions * Suggested psychosocial, environmental, biological and pharmacological interventions with research quality and outcomes of the available evidence * Brief clinical scenario The content of this app is based on the document A clinician’s BPSD guide: Understanding and helping people experiencing changed behaviours and psychological symptoms associated with dementia (Clinician’s BPSD Guide, 2023) in development by the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), which will replace the current document Behaviour Management - A Guide to Good Practice: Managing Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD Guide, 2012). Both unabridged documents provide a comprehensive evidence and practice-based overview of principles, practical strategies and interventions to support people living with dementia. Disclaimer This App was developed to provide a quick reference guide which will assist clinicians in the field when they are presented with behaviours and psychological symptoms associated with dementia (BPSD). This App is provided for general information only and does not claim to reflect all considerations. It is recommended that clinicians consult the unabridged documents, A clinician’s BPSD guide (2023) or the BPSD Guide (2012) for more detailed information. As with all guidelines, recommendations may not be appropriate for use in all circumstances. It is strongly recommended that those providing care to a person with dementia seek assessment and guidance from an appropriate health professional before implementing strategies suggested in this App. It is intended that the information included in this App be read in combination with and subject to advice from health professionals experienced in supporting people who present with BPSD. See the app for full disclaimer. *The term and abbreviation behaviours and psychological symptoms associated with dementia (BPSD) are used respectfully for communication between professionals supporting people with dementia. Terms such as changed behaviours, responsive behaviours, behaviours of concern, neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), behavioural and psychological changes in dementia and others are also used to describe BPSD and may be terms preferred by people living with dementia.