BEAT-IT Alzheimer

Project summary

Alzheimer’s disease is often thought to be memory problems, but more than 80% of people also experience behavioral changes such as anxiety, suspicion, aggression, apathy, sadness, or a short (er) fuse. In the BEAT-IT study, Janne investigates whether timely person-centered information and treatment of these symptoms can improve the lives of people living at home with dementia and their caregivers. She looks at characteristics of the person with dementia, such as their personality or sleep quality, but also at characteristics of the informal caregiver, and the way in which they deal with the behavioral changes. The environment can also influence this: for example, is it very busy in the house because the radio or television is often on?

This results in more targeted support and possibly a reduction in behavioral changes in dementia.