THE GEROPSYCHIATRIC NURSING COLLABORATIVE: ADDRESSING BEHAVIORAL NEEDS OF PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA

Abstract

Abstract Over the last decade, the Geropsychiatric Nursing Collaborative (GPNC) has sought to improve care of older adults with mental health needs such as those with dementia. Geropsychiatric nurses are well-poised to deliver person-centered care to address the psychosocial needs of persons with dementia, which may include behavioral expressions. In this interdisciplinary symposium, we will highlight approaches members of the GPNC are taking to address mood and behavior in persons with dementia. The first session will describe how persons with mild-cognitive impairment draw upon their inner strength after they receive a diagnosis. The second session will discuss how common behavioral expressions such as anxiety, depression and apathy contribute to difficulty with everyday functional activities in persons with Alzheimer’s disease. The third session will describe an interprofessional communication tool to improve communication of behavioral expression in the nursing home setting. The last session will share findings from a nurse practitioner-led team care management model to address cognitive vulnerability in older adults with dementia, depression, and/or delirium. Together, these presentations describe how geropsychiatric nurses are investigating mood and behavioral symptoms in persons with dementia and addressing their mental health needs with innovative person-centered interventions.