1. Detection of Depression in Older Adults with Dementia
2. Family Involvement in Care for Persons with Dementia
3. Non-Pharmacologic Management of Agitated Behaviors in Persons with Dementia

Detection of Depression in Older Adults with Dementia [HERE]

It is anticipated that the incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer disease and other forms of dementia will increase as our nation ages. It is therefore essential that depression and dementia, the two most frequent psychiatric syndromes in the older adult population, are assessed for routinely. However, depression in older adults with and without dementia often goes unrecognized and untreated. Despite expert recommendations and increased availability of a range of depression treatment options (e.g., medication, psychotherapy, combination therapy, and ECT), depression remains a significant public health problem for older adults. Detection is the first essential step to improving depression care for patients with dementia. The purpose of this evidence-based guideline is to improve the detection of depression in older adults with dementia. Written 2007; Revised 2014.


Family Involvement in Care for Persons with Dementia [HERE]

When persons with dementia are moved to a new care environment, including home care, nursing home, assisted living, daycare, and hospital settings, families may need to take on new or different care roles. The ultimate goals of the family involvement in care intervention are to provide quality care for persons with dementia and assist family members to enact meaningful and satisfactory caregiving roles regardless of setting.

This evidence-based guideline focuses on a program to involve family members in the care of their relative with dementia through partnerships with other, both formal and informal, care providers. Successful care partnerships result in the establishment of meaningful and satisfactory caregiving roles regardless of the care setting. Written 1999; Reviewed 2001; 2015.


Non-Pharmacologic Management of Agitated Behaviors in Persons with Dementia [HERE]

The prevalence of long-term care residents diagnosed with a chronic dementing condition is between 42 and 84% with a median of 58%. Agitation is one of the behavioral symptoms that have been reported in up to 81% of those with Alzheimer’s disease. Agitated behaviors not only threaten the psychological and physical well-being of the resident with dementia but other residents in the facility, family members, formal caregivers, and visitors are negatively impacted as well.

The purpose of this guideline is to discuss non-pharmacologic interventions to prevent or manage agitated behaviors in long-term care residents with dementia have the potential to improve the quality of life for persons with dementia, their families, other residents and their care providers. Written 1995; Revised 2004; 2015.

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