Clinical pathways for best practice in dementia care.
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(Published version)
Date
2021
Authors
Kennedy, K.
Forsythe, D.
Sharplin, G.
Wagner, J.
Eckert, M.
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Report
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Abstract
Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australians and three in 10 people over 85 years, and one in 10 people over 65 years have been diagnosed with this disease. Furthermore, up to 90% of people with dementia will experience Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) at some point. Residential aged care facilities are key providers of support to those experiencing more severe forms of BPSD, whcih necessitates they have robust, evidence-based practices around the management of BPSD as part of providing safe, high quality, person-centred care to residents. Clinical pathways for specific areas of care, based on components of clinical parctice guides, are used to improve quality of care, reduce variation and maximize treatment or health outcomes in selected population groups.The purpose of this report is to outline the steps undertaken to develop a clinical pathway for the support and management of BPSD in residents living in an Australian residential aged care facility. The report outlines the process from finding the current best practice literature, through development and then testing of the pathway at one memory support unit operating in South Australia.