Understanding agitation in dementia
A practical guide for care homes on understanding agitation in dementia, including distress, unmet need, pain, overstimulation and formulation-led care planning.
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Dementia Knowledge Hub
Practical dementia behaviour guidance for real care settings.
Evidence-informed articles and specialist insight for care providers supporting people living with dementia, distress, BPSD and complex risk, aligned with UK guidance and professional standards.
Knowledge Hub
In-depth articles that build trust, show specialist thinking, and point towards tailored support when the situation is complex.
The aim is not to give care homes a generic dementia leaflet. These articles explain the clinical thinking behind good dementia behaviour support without pretending that a generic article can replace individual assessment, formulation and care planning.
Why residents become distressed during personal care
Guidance for care homes on distress, resistance, fear and aggression during washing, dressing, continence care and intimate support.
Read articleSexualised behaviour in dementia, understanding the causes
A practical overview of sexualised comments, disinhibition and safeguarding concerns in dementia care settings.
Read articleExit seeking in dementia care homes
Understanding repeated attempts to leave, walking with purpose, risk, perceived reality and safer care planning in dementia.
Read articleNon-pharmacological approaches to BPSD
Evidence-informed non-drug approaches to behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in care homes.
Read articleWhen should antipsychotics be considered in dementia?
A balanced care-home guide to antipsychotic consideration, risk, review and avoiding medication-only plans in dementia.
Read articleAntipsychotic reduction in dementia
Understanding review, deprescribing conversations and safer alternatives when antipsychotics have become routine in dementia care.
Read articleBehavioural formulation and the Newcastle Model
An accessible explanation of behavioural formulation, the Newcastle Model and why formulation changes dementia care planning.
Read articleDistinguishing delirium from BPSD
Why sudden behavioural change in dementia should trigger consideration of delirium, pain and physical health before being labelled as BPSD.
Read articleUnderstanding unmet needs in dementia
How unmet needs can drive distress, agitation, aggression and repeated behaviours in dementia care settings.
Read articleCapacity, best interests and complex dementia care decisions
An accessible guide for care providers on capacity, best interests, restriction and complex decisions in dementia care.
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Behaviour & Distress
High-impact topics for care homes
- Agitation, aggression and repeated distress
- Personal care distress and resistive care
- Sexualised behaviour and safeguarding concerns
- Exit seeking, walking with purpose and restriction
Clinical Practice
Where specialist authority builds
- Behavioural formulation and the Newcastle Model
- Understanding unmet needs in dementia
- Distinguishing delirium from BPSD
- Care planning that works on shift
Medication & Risk
Balanced, practical medication content
- When antipsychotics may be considered
- Antipsychotic reduction and review
- PRN medication and documentation
- Risk, benefit and review planning
Mental Capacity
Decision-making in complex dementia care
- Capacity is decision-specific
- Best interests and least restriction
- Family disagreement and care planning
- Safeguarding and restrictive practice
Need more than an article?
When a resident’s distress is escalating, generic advice is not enough.
First Response Dementia Services provides specialist review, behavioural formulation, care plan recommendations and staff guidance for care providers managing complex dementia-related behaviour.