PALTC23 Conference Recordings SA05 An Interdisciplinary, Primarily Non-Pharmaceutical Approach to Managing Behaviors in Memory Care

An Interdisciplinary, Primarily non-Pharmaceutical Approach to Managing Behaviors in Memory Care

The majority of assisted living residents nationally carry a diagnosis of memory impairment or dementia, and often experience behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). This session will use case examples to illustrate the benefits of a behavioral, interdisciplinary approach to BPSD and provide clinicians with a non-pharmaceutical process to use when asked by facility staff to address the behaviors. At times, medication management may be necessary, so recommendations will be offered on choosing the safest and most effective medications for BPSD, with a focus on potential adverse effects and the importance of gradual dose reduction. Clinicians and medical directors will receive a “clinical playbook” summary to use as a reference when facing BPSD in their patients.

Learning Objectives:

At the completion of this session, learners will be able to:

  • Describe a non-pharmaceutical approaching to managing BPSD in assisted living residents.
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to craft non-pharmaceutical interventions for BPSD management.
  • Safely and judiciously utilize pharmaceutical interventions for severe or refractory BPSD, including active pursuit of gradual dose reductions when appropriate.

Brandon Verdoorn, MD, CMD

Brandon Verdoorn, MD, CMD, is Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Community Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care at Mayo Clinic. He has strong interest in geriatric medical education and serves as the Associate Program Director of Mayo's Geriatric Medicine fellowship program, Director of the Geriatric Medicine rotation for Internal Medicine residents, and course director for multiple continuing medical education courses. He is a member of AMDA's ALC/Non-institutional sub-committee, a reviewer for JAMDA, and the medical director of several nursing homes. His clinical practice is a mix of home-based primary and palliative care (mainly in assisted living) and skilled nursing facility care.


Michael Nash, MD, CMD

Michael Nash, MD, CMD, is section chair of Mercy post acute services in St. Louis, Missouri. He practices exclusively in the nursing home and assisted living setting and teaches residents and fellows as well. Dr Nash is President of the Missouri Association of Long Term Care Physicians and a Board Member for Cardinal Ritter Senior Services in St. Louis, Missouri. He is an active AMDA member on the AL/NI committee.

A.J. Cipperly

A.J. Cipperly has been in the senior health industry for over 20 years in various community, regional and national roles. She graduated from Auburn University with a Master’s in Education and Health Promotion. AJ holds certificates in conducting caregiver facilitator support groups; is a certified dementia care trainer for the State of Florida and is also a certified trainer for Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care strategies & techniques. AJ has presented educational sessions for both local and national professional associations and been a keynote speaker for family and professional caregiver conferences. In her role as Vice President of Memory Care, she oversees all aspects of the company’s memory care programs and initiatives, ensuring quality, developing programming and providing training to team members.

Priti Jindal, MD, CMD

Priti Jindal, MD, CMD, is a board-certified internist and medical director and serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Five Star Senior Living, a senior living provider in the United States. Dr. Jindal has over 20 years experience as a practicing physician and physician leader. Dr. Jindal began her career as an acute care hospitalist and served in multiple leadership roles in the hospital setting. Dr. Jindal transitioned her practice to the senior living arena in 2010 and since then, has served as medical director of multiple skilled nursing, assisted living and memory care facilities.

  • 1.5 CME
  • 1.5 CMD Clinical
  • 1.5 MOC
  • 0.25 Pharmacology Credit

Release Date: 03/29/2023   |   Expiration: 03/01/2026

Credit Statements:

Accreditation: Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

CME Designation: Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CMD Credit Hours: This CME activity has been pre-approved by the American Board of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (ABPLM) for up to 1.5 clinical hours toward certification or recertification as a Certified Medical Director (CMD) in post-acute and long-term care medicine. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit actually spent on the activity.

The CMD Program is administered by the ABPLM. Each physician should claim only those credit hours that he/she actually spent in the activity. For further information, contact ABPLM at 410-992-3117 or at cmd@paltmed.org.

ABIM Maintenance of Certification (MOC): Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.5 Medical Knowledge MOC points and patient safety credit in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program.

Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

Pharmacology: This activity satisfies the requirements for .25 Pharmacology Hour(s) for Nurse Practitioners.

Financial Disclosure Statement:

The Association requires the disclosure of all speaker/faculty/planner’s relevant financial relationships; presence of off-label use of a device or medication; and discussion of any experimental, new or evolving topic prior to each accredited education activity.

If the learner perceives any bias toward a commercial product or service, advocation of unscientific approaches to diagnosis or therapy, or recommendation, treatment, or manners of practicing healthcare that are determined to have risks or dangers that outweigh the benefits or are known to be ineffective in the treatment of patients please report this to the Association's staff.

The following speaker(s) disclosed relevant financial relationship(s): 

  • Julie Gammack, MD, CMD (Planner & Speaker): Stockholder: Amarin
  • Kenya Rivas Velasquez, MD, CMD, FAAFP (Planner & Speaker): OptumRx: Stockholder
  • All other planners, speakers, and AMDA staff have no relationships with ineligible companies.

All relevant financial relationships have been identified and mitigated.

Components visible upon registration.