Sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av att förebygga och lindra BPSD : En kvalitativ intervjustudie

Sammanfattning

Background: Dementia is a progressive and incurable condition leading to cognitive and functional decline. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common and significantly affect quality of life and care needs. Person-centered care and non-pharmacological interventions are essential in managing BPSD. Aim: The aim was to describe nurses’ experiences of preventing and alleviating BPSD in residential care facilities. Method: A qualitative interview study with an inductive approach was conducted. Nine registered nurses working in municipal healthcare services participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis as described by Graneheim and Lundman. Results: The results showed that nurses perceived BPSD as expressions of complex and individual needs in which somatic, psychosocial, and environmental factors interacted. Person-centred care, individualized communication, and non-pharmacological interventions were described as meaningful to preventing and alleviating symptoms, while teamwork, supervision, and leadership emerged as important organizational prerequisites. Conclusion: Nursing care for BPSD is based on a person-centered and situational approach where communication and relationships are central. Organizational conditions are crucial for enabling sustainable and evidence-based dementia care.