Philosophy

Huda recognizes the value in treating dementia patients where they live as opposed to the clinic setting. The traditional clinic setting simply does not allow for the medical providers to fully understand the patient’s day-to-day mood and behaviors and how the patient responds to attempts to address behavioral issues. Huda collaborates closely with the care team at the assisted living residence to better understand the needs of the patient, as well as to have the best success in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment.

Huda knows that the primary intervention in reducing dementia related distress is to use non-pharmacological approaches, such as determining possible triggers/activators to problem behaviors, effective communication with dementia, and emphasizing pleasant events for the patient. He provides on going training to the care staff at assisted livings on evidenced-based interventions for addressing dementia related distress.

In certain situations, medications can be helpful by improving the effectiveness of the non-pharmacological interventions. However, medications carry significant safety risks and their use needs to be closely monitored. By assessing the patient at their residence and interviewing the patient’s direct caregivers, Huda can best determine if the medications are effective and when they can be safely discontinued.