[Improving the quality of care for people with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in Quebec].

Major neurocognitive disorders (MND) affect more than 100,000 Quebecers and this number is expected to increase by 66% by 2030. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers MND as a public health priority in its "Closing the Gaps in Mental Health" program (WHO, 2011). Behavioral and psychological symptoms related to dementia (BPSD) are highly prevalent and are associated with cognitive and functional deterioration, caregiver burnout, early admission to hospital and additional costs.

Optimizing Practices, Use, Care and Services-Antipsychotics (OPUS-AP) in Long-term Care Centers in Québec, Canada: A Strategy for Best Practices.

Objectives: Antipsychotic medications are often used for the first-line management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) contrary to guideline recommendations. The Optimizing Practices, Use, Care and Services-Antipsychotics (OPUS-AP) strategy aims to improve the well-being of long-term care (LTC) residents with major neurocognitive disorder (MNCD) by implementing a resident-centered approach, nonpharmacologic interventions, and antipsychotic deprescribing in inappropriate indications.

Design: Prospective, closed cohort supplemented by a developmental evaluation.