3.4 Nonpharmacologic Strategies for Managing Behavioral Symptoms
Some nonpharmacologic strategies for managing behavioral symptoms include the following:
- Communication
It involves the following:
- Giving the patient enough time to react to a question
- Providing one- to two-step straightforward spoken instructions
- Using a soothing, calming voice
- Providing straightforward options during questioning
- Avoiding using harsh language and tone
- Creating calm or helping the patient refocus through touch
- Aiding the patient in expressing themselves.
- Environment
It involves the following:
- Getting rid of extra items
- Labeling items or adding additional visual hints
- Keeping the area quiet and distraction-free when speaking or the patient is working on something.
- Utilizing quick visual cues.
- Caregiver Education and Support
It involves the following:
- Recognizing that behaviors are not deliberate
- Understanding how to loosen the rules.
Nonpharmacologic methods should be a part of routine dementia therapy since they produce high levels of caregiver and patient satisfaction, improved quality of life, and decreased behavioral symptoms with little risk and side effects.