The latest episode of “The UMB Pulse” Podcast is scheduled to be released Friday, April 3.
What if the “behavior problems” we see in people living with dementia are actually signs of pain?
Host Dana Rampolla speaks with Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, Distinguished University Professor and associate dean of research at the University of Maryland School of Nursing who is an expert in aging and long-term care, about how pain often goes unrecognized in people with dementia. Because they may struggle to communicate discomfort, pain can show up as agitation, withdrawal, resistance to care, or sudden changes in appetite and engagement. These behaviors are sometimes misunderstood and treated with sedating medications instead of addressing the root cause.
Resnick explains what caregivers and clinicians should watch for, from facial expressions and lashing out to subtle shifts in participation and mood.
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