Effective management of NCSD requires a holistic, person-centred approach that considers biological, psychological, and social factors. While NCSD cannot always be prevented, early recognition and tailored interventions can help minimise distress and improve quality of life.
Comprehensive Bio-Psycho-Social Assessment
A thorough bio-psycho-social assessment helps identify potential triggers and guides intervention strategies. This includes:
Biological Factors:
- Age, infections, physical traumas
- Medications and their side effects
- Diet, appetite, and hydration
- Hormonal changes
- Sleep habits and disturbances
Psychological Factors:
- Mood and mental health history
- Personality traits
- Past psychological trauma
- Stress levels and coping skills
- Suicidal ideation
- Reactions to illness
Social Factors:
- Family relationships and social support
- Marital status
- Cultural influences
- Spiritual or religious background
- Living situation
- Financial status
- Hobbies and recreational activities
Person-Centred Care
A person-centred approach ensures that care is tailored to the individual’s preferences, personality, history, and abilities :
- Treat the person with dignity and respect, considering their point of view.
- Facilitate meaningful activities based on personal interests.
- Encourage social interactions to promote engagement and well-being.
- Involve family members, as their insight is invaluable in personalising care.
Training and Support for Carers
Empowering carers through dementia-specific training enhances their ability to manage NCSD effectively:
- Understanding dementia-related behaviours and personality changes.
- Identifying potential triggers, such as discomfort due to incorrect seating or untreated infections.
- Prioritising non-pharmacological interventions, which can reduce the need for medication.
- Supporting carers’ own health and well-being through supervision, debriefing (e.g., where they can discuss and work on examples of behaviours they may have found difficult), and peer discussions.
Communication
Since people with dementia may struggle to verbalise their needs, effective communication is key:
- Encourage open communication among carers, residents, and families.
- Promote timely detection of unmet needs to prevent behavioural escalation.
Social and Physical Environments
The environment plays a significant role in reducing distress and promoting well-being :
- Maintain smaller, less crowded spaces to minimise overstimulation.
- Ensure good lighting and a clear, familiar layout to support orientation.
- Encourage personalisation of bedrooms to enhance comfort and attachment.