Symptom relief is defined as medication prescribed to control active disease, maintain quality of life, and relieve discomfort/distress from comorbidities. It is based on current, active symptoms rather than historical or documented symptoms.
This advice is for people with early, mid and late stage dementia.
Expert consensus is that these practices are recommended in the care of people with dementia
Early, Mid and Late Stage Dementia
For people living with dementia, regular medications intended only to provide symptom relief should be:
- trialled for withdrawal every three to six months if the symptoms are stable
- reviewed regularly for efficacy
- reviewed regularly for side effects
- review doses frequently to see if symptoms can be adequately maintained on a lower dose
- maximised to alleviate distress
Expert consensus is that these practices are NOT recommended in the care of people with dementia
Early, Mid and Late Stage Dementia
for people living with dementia, regular medications intended only to provide symptom relief should be continued indefinitely in people who are unable to reliably report symptom recurrence