Question Re; The Dementia Behavioral Assessment Tool?

AlekoW · July 8

I didn't see the DBAT form on the Dementia Resources page here or on the Alzheimer's Assoc site. I'm wondering if this tool is outside the scope of AlzConnected? If it's cool for AlzConnected, does anyone have enough experience with it's use to answer some questions about some of the terminology, who fills out such a thing, etc.?

H1235 · July 9

I have used it myself just to get a better idea of where things are at. I also use it to look ahead to what I might expect moving forward. I think most doctors use a 3 stage model, which is not very helpful for the caregiver in my opinion. It’s not a perfect tool. Not everyone will have all the symptoms at each stage and some may develop symptoms in a slightly different order. Everyone with dementia is a bit different and no one really knows what’s next or how long the symptoms will last. It’s a rough guide. What questions do you have about terminology? I’m sure someone here will have answers.

jgreen · July 9

Hi @AlekoW

The DBAT (dementia behavioral assessment tool) can be found on Tam Cummings’ website. I downloaded the tool and am sharing now:

Dementia Behavioral Assessment.pdf

The way I use it is to look at it about every month or two to gauge DH’s progress through the disease. And during office visits for him I can use some of the terminology to let his doctor know what is currently happening with him. I believe my DH is in late stage 5 and moving into stage six. He is just now having occasional incontinence (bladder and bowel) and I understand that the episodes will become more frequent and then constant as he moves along.

I find that the tool helps me know what to look for and start to prepare for the next phase. I hope you find it useful.

AlekoW · July 10

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/276973#Comment_276973

I made a note of the terminology. I know from past experience (my spinal surgeries) having the right keywords/language gets more effective response. I appreciate your pointing that out.

AlekoW · July 10

My DW was in one stage 6 months ago. Now after reviewing with our DD (in healthcare) she's well into the next stage (don't recall the number used on the DBAT). I'm of heightened concern that being untreated ever since her Dx this is progressing faster than providers want to deal with (doesn't help that insurance and mediCAL delays & red tape mean we meet new providers who want to start all over from the beginning).

jgreen · July 11

Hi, @AlekoW

As I understand how to use the tool, if you can mark even one behavior in a particular stage, then that is the stage your LO is in. As I said, I believe my husband is moving into stage 6 because he is starting to become urine incontinent. That is stage 6. BTW, he does not check all the boxes in late stage 5, but he does check the majority of boxes. He’s been in stage 5 for about a year to year and a half.

I hope the explanation works.

Goodlife2025 · July 11

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/276973#Comment_276973

I use it the same as jgreen but have actually taken it a step further and I keep a running document that I complete every few months. Instead of just saying yes or no to the list of behaviors I describe how it is manifesting for DW. It has been useful to share with her doctors and daughter as well and has given us a next steps game plan a long the way. DW is late stage 5 moving into stage 6; I think next to this site it has been one of the tools I use most often.

AlekoW · July 12

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/277109#Comment_277109

Yes. This is very helpful. I appreciate this.

AlekoW · July 12

What do you mean by a running document? Are you creating new verbiage describing what you’re observing? Or are you supplementing what DBAT lists, or something else. I’m open to everything to help providers understand what’s happening.

Goodlife2025 · July 12

My downloaded document is a PDF so I have basically retyped the whole thing into a word document. I started with stage 4 which is where we were when I found the DBAT and wrote down each item as it is listed on the DBAT. I date each of my updates so I know if it has been 3,4 or even 6 months between the updates. Then I either say next to each item "no" or I describe what that behavior looks like for us. For instance I wrote this post this past January:

Late Stage 5 on DBAT

>Begins to be lost in current time.

Time no longer means anything to Mollie. She can read the numbers on a clock but is without meaning. She no longer cares about or understands the current month. She still holds some knowledge that it is winter but with no thoughts of what that means in the course of a year nor of the coming spring. Mollie has always been a master gardener and this time of year would be filled with seedling starters and planning. Mollie does not know it is her birthday tomorrow.

CharlieS · July 13

To both jgreen and Goodlife2025, thank you for your insights into the DBAT tool and the way you use it. Very helpful. Goodlife2025, I am now going to keep my own document. It will be most helpful when I accompany my DH to his doctor appointment(s).

Goodlife2025 · July 16

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/277245#Comment_277245

I hope your doctor is open to the updates you provide and willing to have those "deeper" conversations with you. Come back and let us know how you are doing.

Question Re; The Dementia Behavioral Assessment Tool?

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