The Boston Globe

Health & wellness

Boston.com

Part 2

Finding alternatives to potent sedatives

Nursing homes increasingly take new tack in dealing with dementia

By Kay Lazar

 |  Globe Staff  

  April 30, 2012

Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley, a nursing home in Littleton, is one of a small but growing number that are trying alternative approaches to caring for dementia patients without resorting to antipsychotics. Staff try to tailor care to each resident, to make it familiar and comforting. They comb residents’ pasts to learn their preferences, hobbies, and accomplishments - tapping bedrock emotions that endure long after memory fades.

Stay with the story. Get full access to BostonGlobe.com for just 99¢

Unlimited access to BostonGlobe.com for only 99¢ for the first 4 weeks. You can cancel at any time.

  • The FULL story all day: Enjoy all of the high-quality, in-depth journalism in the print edition of the Boston Globe — plus breaking news that's updated 24/7.
  • A truly reader-friendly format: It's online news that looks and reads just like the newspaper — uncluttered, uninterrupted.
  • Breakthrough technology: The responsive design automatically adapts content so it always reads perfectly on the digital device of your choice.
Get started today

Free access for home delivery subscribers.

Just need to link your home delivery account; one easy step.

Link my home delivery account

BostonGlobe.comSubscriber Log In

Contact us for help