11/06/2025
We took almost all our Members off their anti-psychotic meds by taking the time to find the underlying issue. In some cases, it was simply acid reflux. Imagine being prescribed a med so you don't express the pain you're in for years???
Through hard work and dedication to person centred care, we did something amazing. Here's how our Dream Team made it happen:
SEEING THE PERSON BEHIND THE DISEASE
By Stephany Resendes, RPN
For me, dementia care has always been about more than managing symptoms — it’s about understanding the person behind them. Every behaviour tells a story and sometimes, the story isn’t about the behaviour at all, it’s about an unmet need that the person can’t express in words and when we take the time to listen, we often find that a member isn’t being “difficult” but rather they are trying to tell us something.
For many years, anti-psychotic medications were the standard response to behavioural changes in dementia. While there are times when these medications are necessary, we now know that they can potentially carry serious risks such as increased falls, confusion and sedation to name a few but most importantly, what I had found was that they have a way of dulling the spark that makes someone who they are.
That understanding and realization had driven me to look deeper — not at the behaviour itself, but at the cause of the behaviours myself and care team were seeing day to day. Over time, I began to ask myself: Am I treating the person, or treating my own discomfort with behaviours I didn’t quite understand?
This question became the starting point of a spiral of brainstorming and commitment to limit and, whenever possible, (with the help of our in-house physician) discontinue the use of anti-psychotics being used by the Members in our Club. Instead of focusing on the behaviour itself, we began focusing on the message behind it.
Time and again we discovered that when we dug deeper, the “challenging” behaviour was often a symptom of something treatable, often times being physical or emotional discomfort, pain, acid reflux, constipation, anxiety, overstimulation, or sometimes even loneliness. We slowly started to see that when these needs were finally met and addressed medically, not only was there a direct reflection on our ability to manage the behaviour but the person behind the behaviour began to reemerge.
For me personally, this turned into more than just a clinical goal, it has evolved into a moral commitment. Reducing unnecessary medications means giving people back a part of themselves, it means honouring their dignity, protecting their well-being, and helping families see their loved ones again for who they are.
Limiting anti-psychotics within our Oakville home isn’t just an achievement; it turned into a celebration of person-centered care in its truest form. Every time we are able to help someone feel more comfortable, more understood, or more connected, without unnecessary medication, we reaffirm what matters most- that each person, no matter how advanced their dementia, still has a story, a voice, and a deep need to be understood and valued.
Working alongside individuals living with dementia has not only changed the way I see care, but the way I see people as a whole. Reminding myself and leading a team to understand that every behavior tells a story, and when we take the time to listen, we often find that the solution lies not in a prescription, but in understanding the person behind the behavior. it reinforces what person-centered care is all about: seeing the person behind the disease. Caring with empathy, curiosity and respect is the kind of care we believe in and the kind of care I’m proud to champion every day.
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Stephany Resendes is Memory & Company, Oakville Club's Director of Member Relations, Lead Nurse, and Behavioural Support Specialist.
*Almost all = 2/35 Members remain on their medication.
Always consult with a competent physician before adjusting medication.
For more information, visit memoryandcompany.com
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Comprehensive memory care in Ontario with Memory & Company. We offer long-term memory care, short-term respite stays, and a premium day programs.
