Antipsychotics are commonly prescribed for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), despite adverse effects. We developed the Improving Antipsychotic Appropriateness in Dementia Patients (IA-ADAPT) educational program to improve care for BPSD, reduce unnecessary antipsychotic use, and target overuse of anticholinergics and benzodiazepines, which adversely affect cognition. IA-ADAPT includes lectures, decision aids, and evidence reviews. Beginning in April 2012, we disseminated IA-ADAPT through a website and presentations. A short-term evaluation in Iowa nursing home residents suggested benefits, so we proposed a distance learning intervention to increase the impact in rural areas. Because of the large population of professional caregivers from Spanish-speaking countries in the United States, we believed that a Spanish translation of IA-ADAPT might be useful.
