Dementia Behavior Assessment and Response Team (D–BART)

In persons with a dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body or Frontotemporal dementia, behaviors gradually replace clear, verbal communication. Unfortunately, these behaviors can sometimes be difficult to understand and challenging for family and caregiving professionals. The D-BART from the Mayo Clinic includes a licensed neuropsychologist, a medical psychiatrist, and a dementia education specialist. The team understands the challenging symptoms caused by dementia, and embraces a philosophy that behaviors such as agitation or aggression are influenced by physical, psychological, environmental, and social factors. The D-BART partners with caregivers and families to modify these factors in an effort to reduce the frequency and severity of negative behaviors and improve the patient’s mood and general quality of life.

A consultation generally takes place on site (private home, assisted living or long term care facility) and lasts approximately 75 minutes. A referral from the patient’s healthcare provider is needed and routine patient billing and insurance applies.

To arrange a D–BART, call Julie Smith at 507–284–2649.