Supporting distress behaviours in people with dementia in the community

Abstract

The outward signs of distress can take many forms, including agitation, aggression, apathy, anxiety and depression and is experienced by most people with dementia at some point during the disease trajectory. Supporting people with dementia who experience distress can pose a significant challenge to community nurses who may lack the time, knowledge and skills to manage distress effectively. This article discusses distress in dementia, including the interplay between stress and distress, examines the various forms of distress and its causes. The article also presents two fictionalised case studies, drawn from the authors’ clinical experience, demonstrating evidence-based approaches community nurses can use in their practice to support people with dementia who experience distress.