Clinical Resources - Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

Here is a listing of Clinical Resources about the topic of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD), organized into the following categories:


Primary Care Clinical Resources


Introduction to Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD): A Handbook for Family Physicians

This handbook has been developed primarily for clinicians and physicians who contribute actively to the education of families, care providers, and other physicians. We hope that this handbook will assist physicians in these important educational and capacity building roles. In addition, we hope that the resources, tools, and frameworks of this handbook will also be used to improve individual family physician’s practice through personal and group learning projects and activities. The original handbook was published in November 2008. Several chapters have been revised based on feedback and incorporated into this second edition. The toolkit has also been revised based on initial feedback since its publishing in March 2009. If you wish you may download entire handbook or individual chapters.



Download Individual Chapters [available in PDF format - click on links to download]

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Back to top


Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) Toolkit

The intention of this toolkit is to enable primary care providers with a ready to use reference in the detection, assessment and management of cognitive impairment/dementia and co-morbid chronic mental and physical health disorders. The recommended tools are to be used in consideration of the unique clinician, setting, and patient.

Back to top


Key Issues - Brain & Behaviour

Changes in the brain can affect a person’s behaviour.

Information Sheets [PDF]

The 7 A's

  • Agnosia - loss of recognition 
  • Agnosie - perte de la reconnaissance
  • Apraxia - loss of purposeful movement 
  • Apraxie - perte de mouvements volontaires

A Structural-Functional Interpretation of BPSD

  • The Limbic System - connecting behaviour with memories, memory retrieval, emotional control and auto-regulatory functions - including sleep and appetite
  • La région limbique - relier le comportement et les souvenirs; emmagasiner de nouveaux souvenirs; contrôle émotionnel; contrôle des fonctions auto-régulatrices, par example l'éveil-sommeil et l'appétit

Back to top


Key Issues - Delirium & BPSD

Delirium is a frequent complication of dementia and may present as a new or worsening behaviour and/or psychological symptom in an individual with dementia.

Information Sheets [PDF]

Back to top


Key Issues - Evolving an Approach to BPSD

The approach to BPSD is rarely linear, and often requires several attempts at information gathering, assessment and adjustment to care plans. The U.R.A.F. (Understand, Reflect, Action, and Follow-up) template has been developed as a way to explicitly link the five key questions.

Information Sheets [PDF]

Back to top


Key Issues - Management of BPSD

There are pharmacological and non-pharmacological options for the management of BPSD.

Information Sheets [PDF]

Back to top


Long-Term Care Clinical Resources

  • BPSD in Long-Term Care Resource Tool Kit - Click here
  • BPSD in Long-Term Care Resource Manual - Click here
  • BPSD Resource Guide for Staff in LTC and Complex Continuing Care [PDF] - Click here

Back to top