Dementia and BPSD addresses behavioral and psychological symptoms—agitation, psychosis, depression, apathy, sleep disruption—through person-centred assessment and stepwise interventions. This page translates best practices into care plans: rule out pain, infection, delirium, sensory loss; adapt environments and routines; and deploy non-drug strategies before cautious pharmacology. If you’re reviewing a dementia care conference, you’ll find protocols for antipsychotic stewardship, sleep/circadian tuning, and caregiver partnership that protect dignity and safety. Because transitions and comorbid SUD occur, we cross-link to Old Age Psychiatry and SUD for medication risks and safer approaches.

Programs begin with understanding the person—their history, preferences, and triggers—then align routines, sensory inputs, and meaningful activities. Staff learn de-escalation, validation, and comfort touch; families get coaching, respite options, and crisis scripts. When medications are necessary, we use the lowest effective dose, time-limited trials, and close monitoring for falls, strokes, and QTc issues. Sleep interventions prioritize light, movement, and routine; melatonin or carefully selected agents follow if needed. Dashboards track behavior frequency, distress, and caregiver burden to guide iteration.