Improving Care for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia (NPS)

Award Date: 2017

Project Lead(s):  Dr. Sanjeev Kumar

Project Title: Improving Care for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia (NPS)

Neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia (NPS) affect up to 80% of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). These symptoms include aggression, agitation, anxiety, depression, hallucinations, and delusions. Among these symptoms, aggression and agitation are most burdensome for patients, families, caregivers, and the healthcare system. The Geriatric Psychiatry Division at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has developed and implemented an Integrated Care Pathway (ICP) to evaluate and treat aggression and agitation associated with NPS in AD. Dr. Kumar’s team will adapt and implement the ICP to a community long-term care facility in Toronto in anticipation that this will result in better clinical outcomes, more appropriate use of treatments, better patient experience, and better health economics for patients with NPS of dementia.