Medications Management for People Living with Dementia

Provision of dementia care has been evolving over the past number of years. The rise in person-centred approaches to care continues to flourish, particularly the enhancement of wellbeing and alleviation of distress through non-pharmacological interventions. While this is an important facet of dementia care, healthcare professionals must also have a good knowledge base about medications which are important for symptom management in dementia. This CPD article presents an overview of some of the most common medications which may be inappropriately prescribed and used within dementia care, such as antipsychotic, anxiolytic and sedative medications. Furthermore, this article will also consider some common medications which may be more appropriate for people living with dementia, such as cognitive enhancers and analgesia. This CPD article will aid healthcare professionals, who care for people living with dementia, in guiding shared decision-making about appropriate prescriptions of medications with people living with dementia, their family members and the extended multidisciplinary healthcare team.