Dementia is a range of symptoms that affect a person’s ability to think, behave and perform every day tasks (fightdementia.org, 2005). According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2012), in 2011, nearly 1 in 10 of people aged over 65 and 3 in 10 of people aged over 85 were suffering from dementia (thinkgp.com, 2015).
There are numerous non-pharmacological interventions that can be taken to manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Such strategies include: cognitive and sensory stimulation, self-care skills, physical activity and social interaction. As the state of dementia progresses, more extreme symptoms such as exasperation, wandering and screaming may be demonstrated. Interventions that concentrate on underlying factors contributing to BPSD are likely to be more effective. On occasions when there are psychological/psychiatric complications, pharmacological therapy may be advised.
My Rehab Team offers mobile therapy services, including: occupational therapy, speech pathology, exercises physiology, dietetics, physiotherapy, podiatry and a rehabilitation/health coach. You can contact us at 1300MYREHABTEAM (1300 469 794) or at info@myrehabteam.com.au.
References:
ThinkGP [Online] Available at: http://thinkgp.com.au/guides/guides-managing-changing-behaviours-dementia?utm_source=ThinkGP%20List&utm_campaign=aa2dfac533-ThinkGP%20Newsletter%209th%20April&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9f5bc7d0a3-aa2dfac533-213714445 (Accessed on 6th of June, 2015)
Fight Alzheimer’s Save Australia [Online] Available at: https://fightdementia.org.au/about-dementia-and-memory-loss/about-dementia/what-is-dementia (Accessed on 7th of June, 2015)
Image courtesy of digitalart FreeDigitalPhotos.net available on: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/ [Online] (Accessed 8th of June, 2015)
