Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Project

College/School

College of Nursing

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Project Mentor

Annette Thomas

Readers

Mary Shelkey

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pain assessment in patients with dementia is challenging due to cognitive and communication impairments, making the older adult population highly susceptible to poor pain assessment and treatment.

AIM: The purpose of this project is to accurately identify the cause of agitation in residents with dementia. Specific aims include 1) to collect background demographic data on residents, 2) to educate nursing staff on pain assessment in dementia patients, and 3) to educate nursing staff about the risks associated with antipsychotic medications to prioritize using non-pharmacologic interventions to treat agitation.

METHODS: A chart review of residents residing in a suburban, Pacific Northwest memory care unit was performed (n = 41). Educational training on differentiating pain from neuropsychiatric symptoms, risks associated with antipsychotic medications in older adults, and non-pharmacologic treatment options for dementia was offered to nursing staff who work in the memory care unit. Pre- and post- training surveys were completed by participating nursing staff.

RESULTS: Most residents (n = 41) were aged 80-89 years, most identified as female, and most did not use any antipsychotic prescriptions. There was statistically significant improvement in pain identification in residents with dementia, knowledge of indications and risks associated with antipsychotic medications in older adults with dementia, and an increase in confidence in identifying signs of agitation.

CONCLUSION: Determining treatment for agitation in dementia is an individualized approach, and requires staff’s understanding of pain assessment, the complexity of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), and awareness about non-pharmacological treatments to decide the best solution for each person. Continuing to improve pain assessment and reducing use of antipsychotic medications may improve the quality of life of individuals with dementia.

Download

Share

COinS