Pharmacological versus non-pharmacological approaches to managing challenging behaviours for people with dementia

When people with dementia demonstrate challenging behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, the levels of stress experienced by their carers increases. Furthermore, there is an increased likelihood that the person will be prematurely admitted to a residential care facility. The adverse side-effects that have been associated with the use of antipsychotic medications in older people with dementia have given rise to a renewed emphasis on the use of non-pharmacological approaches to manage challenging behaviours. This article describes the approaches taken by the multi-disciplinary team of a Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service in Australia to support people with dementia who have challenging behaviours by using non-pharmacological interventions.

Practical implications of Procedural and Emotional Religion Activity Therapy for nursing

Procedural and Emotional Religious Activity Therapy encapsulates an approach to engaging older adults with Alzheimer's disease in meaningful activities that can be performed within the parameters of their cognitive functioning. Alzheimer's disease disrupts some brain structures more than others, resulting in a disproportionate loss of certain cognitive abilities. Explicit (conscious) memory skills are disrupted first, followed by implicit (unconscious) memory skills, and lastly emotional memory. Activities relying more on implicit and emotional memory, such as specially selected religious activities, are more likely to be used by patients. Steps and caveats of using this approach are provided.