Abstrakt

Managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia- from a geriatricians perspective

Dr. Si Ching LIM

As dementia becomes more prevalent, the emergence of behavioral symptoms across the types of dementia causes significant caregiver burden with poor quality of life for the patients with BPSD and contributes to institutionalization. These behavioral symptoms are unpredictable and challenging to manage and as a medical profession, it is frustrating as there is no recommended treatment guideline. Non-pharmacological method is more satisfactory and is as effective as pharmacological means, but it is labor intensive. Pharmacological treatment is associated with significant side effects especially among the frail elderly.