by Richard Hwang, Virtual Mentor. June 2008, Volume 10, Number 6: 379-382. This article advocates the use of non-pharmacological treatments for patients with dementia, but it also recognizes the need for pharmacological interventions in certain situations. It mentions a significant—but largely unaddressed — concern about the lack of financial resources for non-pharmacological treatments. While drugs are directly reimbursed; training and time for the types of interventions proposed by the authors are frequently not reimbursed. Similarly, devices that can help prevent difficult behaviors, such as for example, hearing aids, do not qualify for reimbursement.
