Nonpharmacological Management of Agitated Behaviours Associated with Dementia

Dorothy A Forbes, RN, PhD, CIHR New Investigator, Associate Professor, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK.
Shelley Peacock, RN, MN, Faculty Member, Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology, Saskatoon, SK.
Debra Morgan, RN, PhD, Associate Professor, Institute of Agricultural, Rural, and Environmental Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK.

Strategies such as simulated presence therapy, pet therapy, light therapy, validation therapy, music, massage, therapeutic touch, aromatherapy, and multisensory stimulation have shown promising results in decreasing physical aggression, physical nonaggression, verbal aggression, and verbal nonaggression in older adults with dementia. Further research is needed to identify which strategies are most effective in managing symptoms of agitation associated with the different types of dementia and at different levels of cognitive impairment.

Key words: Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, nonpharmacological strategies, agitation, aggression, behaviour.