Well-Being Approach to Distress
Topics: Dementia
When a person living with dementia shows signs of distress, the answer should not automatically be medication. Antipsychotics are often used to manage distress, but they can come with serious risks and may not address what is causing the distress in the first place.
The well-being approach offers another path. Instead of focusing on controlling behaviours, it helps care teams and care partners understand what a person may be expressing through unmet needs. Built around seven domains of well-being — identity, connectedness, security, autonomy, meaning, growth, and joy — this approach supports the whole person through compassionate, person-centred care.
Explore resources that show how small, everyday actions can make a meaningful difference. From communication tips to practical ways to “fill the cup,” these tools can help reduce reliance on medication and support better quality of life for people living with dementia.
Acknowledgement
These resources were co-developed by Dr. Allen Power, Jennifer Carson, and Schlegel Villages Aspen Lake team members, residents living with dementia, and family members.
The Well-Being Approach to Managing Distress: Implementation Toolkit was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
