Apr 2025
Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)
Introduction
This tool is designed to help clinicians understand, assess, and manage patients/residents in primary care and LTC homes with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) (responsive behaviours). Included is the Use of Antipsychotics in Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) Discussion Guide: residents, families and caregiver edition.
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About the tool
This clinical tool aims to help family physicians and primary care nurse practitioners understand, assess and manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). It is designed to guide discussions and decision-making between clinicians and their patients in managing BPSD.
The Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) tool was developed using the CEP’s integrated knowledge translation approach. This approach ensures that providers are engaged throughout the development processes through the application of user-centered design methodology. Clinical leadership was provided by Drs. Andrea Moser and Sid Feldman. Persons with lived experience and end users were also engaged throughout the tool development process to provide feedback and support the tool’s refinement.
The tool is among several clinical tools developed as part of the Knowledge Translation in Primary Care Initiative. Funded by the Ministry of Health, this initiative supports primary care providers with the development of a series of clinical tools and health information resources. Learn more about the Knowledge Translation in Primary Care Initiative (KTinPC).
Clinical leads
Andrea Moser
MD, MSC, CCFP(COE), FCFP, CMD
Dr. Moser is a family physician with a focus practice in Care of the Elderly and Long Term Care, an Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto and Certified Medical Director with the American Board of Post Acute and Long Term Care Medicine (ABPLM). She is the Corporate Medical Director with the City of Toronto LTC Division, Clinical Lead, LTC + program at Women’s College Hospital and consultant with ISMP Canada on the Ontario Strengthening Medication Safety in Long Term Care Program. Andrea is a board member of the Canadian Society for Long Term Care Medicine (CSLTCM) and former board member of Ontario Long Term Care Clinicians (OLTCC), formerly Ontario Long Term Care Physicians (OLTCP) and a member of the Ontario Coroners Geriatric and Long Term Care Review Committee. She is faculty for the legislated OLTCC Medical Director Course which she co-developed in 2014. Over the course of her career Andrea has worked in a variety of settings, rural and urban, and during the pandemic took on additional leadership roles to support the LTC sector. She has a commitment to high-quality person-centered care, clinician engagement, continuing professional development, collaborations and quality improvement.
Dr. Moser provided clinical leadership and was offered compensation for her role.
Sid Feldman
MD, CFPC (COE), FCFP
Dr. Sid Feldman is a community Family Physician affiliated with the North York Family Health Team. He also serves as an attending physician in the Toronto Central LHIN Transitional Behaviour Support Unit at Baycrest for LTC residents with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. His academic and administrative roles at Baycrest include Executive Medical Director of Residential Programs and Chief, Department of Family and Community Medicine. He is an Associate Professor and Head, Division of Care of the Elderly in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. He also serves as the Chair, Members Interest Group in Care of the Elderly for the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
Dr. Feldman provided clinical leadership and was offered compensation for his role.
Conflict of Interest
Usability participants received a token of appreciation (e.g., gift certificate).