Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine (Aug 2023)

Reducing Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in Acutely Ill Patients via Patient Engagement Specialists: A Pilot Feasibility Study

  • Liron Sinvani MD,
  • Andrew Strunk MA,
  • Suzanne Ardito MA,
  • Samantha Gordon MA,
  • Yan Liu PhD,
  • Emily Schantz LCSW,
  • Asma Arroon LMSW,
  • Anum Ilyas BS,
  • Valeria Gromova BS,
  • Ashley Polokowski PhD,
  • Jessy Levin PhD, MPH,
  • Alex Makhnevich MD,
  • Stefani D’Angelo MS,
  • Marie Boltz PhD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/23337214231192162
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common in hospitalized persons living with dementia (PLWD). This pilot aimed to test the feasibility of an innovative model of care, PES-4-BPSD (a dementia unit staffed with Patient Engagement Specialists, PES). Non-randomized pilot feasibility trial was conducted, enrolling N = 158 patients to the intervention unit ( n = 79, a 10-bed dementia unit, staffed with nursing assistants, NAs, with mental health backgrounds, PES) and an enhanced control unit ( n = 79, 40-bed medicine unit, staffed with NAs). All NAs/PES ( N = 63) received dementia training, with completion rate of 82.5%. Overall, patients had ~1 NPI-Q (Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire) assessment/48 hr. 97% ( n = 153) of PLWD exhibited at least one behavior. Average NPI-Q scores did not differ across intervention (5.36) and control (3.87) units ( p = .23). Patients on the intervention unit had 88% ( p = .002) shorter duration of constant observation. A dementia care unit staffed by PES is an innovative model requiring further research.