Management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia

Management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) is a critical component of comprehensive, state-of-the-science dementia care. BPSD are complex, associated with substantial heterogeneity in terms of etiology, clinical presentation and treatment outcome and are the subject of extensive research. Consequently, it can be challenging for health care providers to stay up to date with the clinically most relevant findings and know how to best manage BPSD and respond to concerns of person's with dementia (PWD) and their family. This is a narrative review that proposes an evidence-informed systematic approach for management of BPSD and aims to summarize key findings from research to date on psychosocial environmental and psychopharmacological interventions for management of BPSD. Early and comprehensive management of BPSD has the potential to not only promote the dignity and safety of PWD but also to improve their caregiver's quality of life and reduce costs on society by preventing visits to emergency departments, hospitalizations and premature institutionalization. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York.