Distinguish delirium superimposed on dementia from the baseline and initiate the medical-cause workup on an acute change.
Implement and evaluate a skilled non-pharmacologic BPSD plan (trigger identification, routine, redirection, environment) and screen for a medical trigger before medicating.
Manage safety (falls, wandering, danger) and, where a skilled comorbidity is present, integrate the dementia into that plan.
Teaching / training (to mastery)
Teach the caregiver dementia-care and BPSD strategies, the difference between dementia and delirium, and safety measures, with return-demonstration/teach-back.
Train CNAs on the resident’s behavioral triggers and non-pharmacologic strategies, and reporting an acute change from baseline, with documented understanding.
