A report of the key findings from the MARQUE research study, to provide a greater understanding of agitation for people living with dementia and their paid and unpaid carers. The study MARQUE (Managing Agitation and Raising Quality of Life in Dementia) was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The findings cover the prevalence of agitation and effect on quality of life; the cost of dementia and agitation for people living in care homes; impact of managing agitation on care staff; person-centred behaviours in care homes; agitation at home; and psychosocial interventions and outcomes for people living with dementia in care homes. The results found that agitation is a significant issue for people living with dementia, care home staff, and families. It reduces quality of life for people living with dementia and that family carers need more support to adopt coping strategies. When people with agitation are admitted care homes, staff are often not able to deliver the quality of care that they want to deliver. It also finds that interventions that can improve quality of life - such increasing staff to resident ratios or organisation activities in care homes - may not be enough to reduce agitation. Additional resources to implement interventions are required to ensure that people are enabled to use them.
(Edited publisher abstract)
A report of the key findings from the MARQUE research study, to provide a greater understanding of agitation for people living with dementia and their paid and unpaid carers. The study MARQUE (Managing Agitation and Raising Quality of Life in Dementia) was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The findings cover the prevalence of agitation and effect on quality of life; the cost of dementia and agitation for people living in care homes; impact of managing agitation on care staff; person-centred behaviours in care homes; agitation at home; and psychosocial interventions and outcomes for people living with dementia in care homes. The results found that agitation is a significant issue for people living with dementia, care home staff, and families. It reduces quality of life for people living with dementia and that family carers need more support to adopt coping strategies. When people with agitation are admitted care homes, staff are often not able to deliver the quality of care that they want to deliver. It also finds that interventions that can improve quality of life - such increasing staff to resident ratios or organisation activities in care homes - may not be enough to reduce agitation. Additional resources to implement interventions are required to ensure that people are enabled to use them.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
dementia, agitation, quality of life, care homes, carers, care workers, staff, person-centred care, psychosocial intervention, intervention;
It is very common for people with dementia to experience behavioural and psychological symptoms such as aggression and agitation. This leaflet is aimed at people with dementia and their carers who want to know more about behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and how they can be prevented and treated. It emphasises that people with dementia and their carers have the right
It is very common for people with dementia to experience behavioural and psychological symptoms such as aggression and agitation. This leaflet is aimed at people with dementia and their carers who want to know more about behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and how they can be prevented and treated. It emphasises that people with dementia and their carers have the right to be involved in decisions about treatment. The leaflet describes a number of simple treatment and therapy options based on the principles of person-centred care that can dramatically improve these symptoms without the need for medication. For many people the symptoms will improve over 4 weeks without the need for medication. If these treatments do not work, the doctor may prescribe antipsychotic drugs. The leaflet provides information about these drugs and their risks and side effects. Suggested questions that can be asked to the doctor are provided.
Subject terms:
older people, person-centred care, psychosocial intervention, antipsychotic medication, challenging behaviour, dementia, drug prescription, good practice, agitation;