Reducing Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: Family Caregivers (Aim 1)

We will conduct a non-randomized preliminary efficacy trial, enrolling N=158 patients (79 control and 79 intervention). The primary outcome will be presence of BPSD as measured by a patient's total score on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire (NPI-Q) during hospitalization. A multi-modal approach (including chart review and HCG questionnaires) will be used to determine the presence and severity of BPSD.

On this unit, the management of patients who display BPSD is performed by nurse assistants, rather than PES. Therefore, in order to test the added layer of PES staff, the nurse assistants on the control unit will receive equivalent dementia care education and training as well as staff support (please refer to NCT# 04179721 for more details on this aim).