Reducing Inappropriate Medication Use for BPSD

Investigators previously developed a low-cost, practical, patient- and care partner-centric, evidence-informed systematic approach (the "DICE Approach" or DICE), to assess and manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The goals of this proposal are to refine and test the application of DICE in primary care clinics by: (a) using existing clinic staff to deliver DICE; and (b) using the electronic medical record to identify and recruit PLWD (persons living with dementia) and their care partners (n=100) based on criteria that are clinically meaningful and inclusive of the maximum number of participants in the most equitable way. Clinic-based social workers in four primary care practices at University of California Davis (UCD) will coordinate behavioral management using DICE with care partners, PLWD and other clinic providers. Outcomes will include: 1) feasibility/ability to carry out the approach; 2) acceptability to PLWD and their care partners; and 3) the ability to measure psychiatric medication use and health care use in the electronic medical record. Findings from this study will guide the design of a much larger future study using the DICE Approach to improve outcomes for PLWD and their care partners.