Clinical Case Studies

Introduction Helen Edwards

The purpose of this resource is to increase health professionals’ knowledge of the use and interpretation of evidence-based tools for the common symptoms of agitation and anxiety, apathy and wandering. The overall aim of this resource is to enhance the quality of care for people with dementia.

The gold standard of care is client- or person-centred care, which involves an holistic approach to the person with dementia. Such care takes account of the person’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs and must also consider the context, or the environment in which the person is living, their personal experiences and family history.

Intro Anxiety

Professor Nancy Pachana, is based at the School of Psychology, University of Queensland and is widely published on ageing and dementia-specific topics.

She is Co-Director of the UQ Ageing Mind Initiative Centre for translational ageing-related research; she also holds the position of board member and Deputy Editor of the prestigious journal, International Psychogeriatrics.

Professor Pachana’s presentation will feature tools for the assessment of anxiety and agitation.

Assessment Tools Anxiety

Assessment Agitation Anxiety

Planning Interventions Anxiety

Intro Apathy

The second presenter, Professor Gerard Byrne, is Head of the Discipline of Psychiatry within the School of Medicine at the University of Queensland and Director of Geriatric Psychiatry at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

His many publications on ageing and dementia are testament to his distinguished record of research and practice in the care of older people and people with dementia. Professor Byrne will discuss apathy and the assessment of apathy.

Assessment Apathy

Strategies Apathy

Intro Wandering

The second presenter, Professor Gerard Byrne, is Head of the Discipline of Psychiatry within the School of Medicine at the University of Queensland and Director of Geriatric Psychiatry at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

His many publications on ageing and dementia are testament to his distinguished record of research and practice in the care of older people and people with dementia. Professor Byrne will discuss apathy and the assessment of apathy.

Assessment Wandering

Active Care Wandering

RAWS Wandering