title: Minimising psychotropic use for behavioural disturbance in residential aged care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the ageing population there will be an increasing number of older Australians who have dementia and require residential care. Up to 90% of people with dementia in residential care show behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). General practitioners (GPs) have an important role in managing these challenging behaviours. Psychotropic medications, although useful in certain clinical situations, can have significant side effects including increased risk of falls, over-sedation and increased mortality. Non-pharmacological strategies are first-line treatment for BPSDs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this article is to present the latest evidence in the management of BPSD in residential care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GPs can have a crucial role in managing the needs of people with dementia by providing regular reviews and supporting the implementation of simple, evidence-based, non-pharmacological strategies.
authors.affiliation: FRANZCP, Grad Cert POA, MPsych, MBBS, Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age, St Vincent's Health, University of Melbourne, VIC; Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service Victoria, St Vincent's Health, VIC; North Western Aged Mental Health, Melbourne Health, VIC.
authors.forename: Samantha M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Loi
authors.forename: Alissa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Westphal
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ames
authors.forename: Nicola T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Lautenschlager
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000066553:Problem Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs