A group of multidisciplinary leading subject matter experts on
dementia across Canada and
individuals with lived experience have collaborated with the
Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health (CCSMH) to develop the
clinical practice guidelines for assessing and managing behavioural
and psychological symptoms of dementia.
TORONTO, March 28,
2024 /CNW/ - Canadian health care providers now
have access to clinical tools and resources they need to
better support older adults experiencing behavioral and
psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), their families and care
partners. Produced by the CCSMH and led by Geriatric
Psychiatrist Dr. Dallas Seitz
(Professor at the University of Calgary
and CCSMH Co-chair) and Geriatrician Dr. Jennifer Watt (Assistant Professor at the
University of Toronto), the
Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for Assessing and
Managing Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms
of Dementia provide evidence-based recommendations and
direction for the assessment and management of all BPSD. Older
adults and care partners will also benefit from a variety of
resources, including this pamphlet developed to help inform and
understand behaviours in dementia.
New Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines
Now Available
Discover the new guidelines and resources empowering health
care providers, older adults, their family members and care
partners nationwide.
Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia
(BPSD) are non-cognitive symptoms of dementia such as
changes to behaviour and mood that frequently occur in all types of
dementias. In Canada alone, close to 1 million people will be
living with dementia by 2030, with that number expected to
increase to 1.7 million people by 2050. For many people living with
dementia, changes in mood and behaviour are common. These can
affect the quality of life for people living with dementia, their
friends, families and health care providers supporting
them.
"These evidence-based clinical practice guidelines provide
clinicians and other health care providers with key recommendations
in assessing and managing BPSD and are intended to inform shared
decision-making among people living with dementia, care partners of
people living with dementia and health care providers." shares Dr.
Seitz. "As there is no single cause for BPSD in any individual, a
holistic biopsychosocial approach that seeks to understand BPSD is
necessary." adds Dr. Jennifer
Watt.
The guidelines provide good practice statements outlining
general principles for assessing and managing BPSD and make
specific recommendations for five major BPSD:
- agitation;
- psychosis (including delusions and hallucinations);
- depressive symptoms and depression;
- anxiety;
- sexual expressions of potential risk.
The guidelines also provide recommendations on medication
deprescribing used in the management of BPSD.
Furthermore, the CCSMH also developed the Behaviours in Dementia
Toolkit website that brings together evidence-informed resources
relating to BPSD to help people living with dementia, caregivers,
and health care providers to identify resources that may assist in
the practical implementation of the BPSD guideline
recommendations.
"Part of our work at CCSMH is developing best practice
information that is readily accessible and easy to understand for
older adults, care partners and the general public. We develop
tools and resources to help them (or a loved one) connect with
their health care providers and make informed decisions," explains
Claire Checkland, Executive Director
at CCSMH. "Helping these individuals requires that health care
providers, those living with dementia and their care partners, are
equipped with knowledge and tools to understand what is causing
these changes and how best to help in a person-centered way"
continues Brenda Martinussen,
Director, Projects and Public Policy.
Quick Facts
- Dementia, also referred to as major neurocognitive disorder, is
an umbrella term for several conditions that can affect memory,
thinking, behaviour, and the ability to perform activities of daily
living (American Psychiatric Association, 2022; Grand, 2011; WHO,
2023).
- More than 55 million people in the world live with dementia and
approximately 10 million people are newly diagnosed each year (WHO,
2023).
- Common symptoms of BSPD include agitation, psychosis,
depression, anxiety, apathy and changes to sleep and appetite
(Cerejeira, 2012; Lyketsos et al., 2002).
- The prevalence of at least one BPSD has been estimated at up to
75% in community-dwelling people living with dementia in
cross-sectional studies (Lyketsos et al., 2002) and over 80% among
people living with dementia who reside in long-term care (LTC)
(Selbaek et al., 2013).
Additional information
In January, 2023, a Working Group was formed to develop and
synthesize the guidelines. This group consists of interdisciplinary
leading subject matter experts across Canada in the field of dementia. Members met
monthly to advance this work by offering their clinical expertise,
evaluating research evidence, voting on recommendations, and
drafting the guidelines. The guideline development also
included input from individuals from across the country with lived
experience with dementia or informal caregiving experience to older
adults with dementia.
About the Canadian Coalition for
Seniors Mental Health (CCSMH)
The Coalition's mission is to promote the mental health of older
adults by connecting people, ideas and resources. The CCSMH is
dedicated to advancing the mental well-being of older adults across
all settings. As the sole national organization focusing on mental
health for older adults, the Coalition is committed to nurturing
and growing a coalition of organizations and individuals that,
together, will shine a light on the issues surrounding mental
health and well-being of older adults. The CCSMH began as a project
of the Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry (CAGP)
and continues to operate with the CAGP Board of Directors
oversight.
www.ccsmh.ca
www.behavioursindementia.ca
Stay Connected
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SOURCE Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health