The Communication Gap Between the Medical System and Community Resources for Dementia-Related Behavioral Symptom Management: Family Caregiver Perspectives.

OBJECTIVE: To examine family caregiver perspectives on cooperative communication surrounding pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic resources for the treatment of dementia-related behavioral symptoms. METHODS: Personal narrative interviews were conducted by the primary investigator with 13 family caregivers from October 2014 to April 2015. The recorded interviews were then transcribed and coded. Models detailing the caregivers' resource utilization in regard to behavioral symptom management were produced for each participant and then summarized on the basis of recurring themes. RESULTS: There is a significant gap in the coordination and communication between physician services and caregiver community resources to aid in the behavioral management of family members with dementia. Physicians tend to rely on pharmacologic management independent of community resources and did not seem to be integrated or involved with recommendations from community resources. CONCLUSIONS: Better integration of caregiver resources is necessary to help caregivers in the management of dementia-related behavioral symptoms.