Dementia Guidelines

Action Plan Commitment: Produce guidelines for dementia care to support caregivers and promote evidence based practice in all care settings by October 2012.

What does it mean for me?

Improved quality of care for persons with dementia is being supported through the development of best practice, non-pharmacological approaches that can be applied in all of British Columbia’s health care settings.  With a specific focus on the appropriate use of antipsychotic drugs in residential care settings, best practice guidelines applied with a practical, electronic decision support tool will assist in clinical assessments and care decisions of persons who may be experiencing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.  This approach reflects the important culture of evidence-based, person-centred care and decision making that involves physicians, nurses, pharmacists, caregivers, family members, care staff and persons in care.

Links

Best practice information for physicians, health care providers and health care organizations caring for persons with Dementia:

• News Release: New tools to improve care for those with dementia (PDF, 245KB) (November 2012)
• Best Practice Guideline for Accommodating and Managing Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in Residential Care (PDF, 782KB) (October 2012)
• Improving B.C.’s Care for Persons with Dementia in Emergency Departments and Acute Care Hospitals (PDF, 3.0MB) (November 2011)
• Meeting Seniors’ Mental Health Care Needs in British Columbia: A Resource Document (PDF, 1.7KB) (March 2012)
• A Review of the Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in British Columbia Residential Care Facilities (PDF, 621KB) (December 2011)
• BC Dementia Service Framework (PDF, September 2007)
• The Provincial Dementia Action Plan for British Columbia (PDF, 7.0MB) (April 2012)
• The Provincial Guide to Dementia Care in British Columbia: Achievements and Next Steps (PDF, 2.7MB) (May 2016)

Information on Dementia for patients, families and caregivers:

• Visit HealthLink BC and look up these and other topics on Dementia:
  • Dementia
  • Alzheimer’s or Other Dementia: Should I Move My Relative into Long-term Care?
• Learn about BC’s First Link® program provided by the Alzheimer Society of BC
• Read the Guidelines for Care: Person-Centred Care of People with Dementia Living in Care Homes Framework (January 2011)