Dementia 9 – Responding to behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD)

This is the final module of a nine-part series looking at dementia. In this module, we look at the complex area of responding to BPSD, with the foundational understanding that behaviour is an attempt to communicate, and that often it is an unmet need that is being signalled.  

This course has been mapped to the Aged Care Quality Standards 1, 2,3 and 4.

In this course the following areas will be covered: 

• behaviour communicating unmet needs 
• using a problem-solving approach  
• responding to the need 
• a variety of behaviours. 

Business Outcomes 

Staff will be given strategies that bring dignity and respect to their working relationship with people with dementia. Given strategies for analysing behaviours, identifying triggers or unmet needs, and finding a solution, care staff will be able to work with clients to minimise behaviour that has been characterised as difficult or challenging. This can in turn minimise the need for chemical or physical restraint.