Si Ching Lim
National University of Singapore, Singapore
Title: Management of challenging behaviors in dementia – A Geriatrician’s perspective
Biography
Biography: Si Ching Lim
Abstract
Dementia is becoming an expensive disease worldwide and its prevalence is on the rise, particularly in the developing countries. The non-cognitive symptoms of dementia, also known as neuropsychiatric symptoms or behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) is particularly challenging for the caregivers resulting in significant caregiver stress, leading to burnout and institutionalization. BPSD occurs in >90% of people with dementia at some point during the course of their illness. An overview of BPSD-types of behavioural problems encountered aetiology of BPSD, approach to treatment of BPSD focusing on Person Centred Care (PCC) and treatment options. For healthcare workers, particularly the ones not trained in geriatric and gerontology, BPSD is challenging and stressful. The majority of caregivers will end up restraining- either physically or chemically, the patients for their safety. Restraining the elderly comes with complications like physical deconditioning, DVT, UTI, urinary retention, constipation, pneumonia, pressure sore, etc. The aim of this presentation is to introduce to the audience the causes of challenging behaviour and how to manage the agitated patients non-pharmacologically, with restraints as a later alternative. The presentation will include two-three cases for discussion.