NURSING PRACTICE IN THE CARE OF OLDER ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

This integrative review examined nursing practices in the care of older adults with dementia, mapping strategies, challenges, and implications across primary, hospital, home, and long-term care settings. Searches were conducted in SciELO, BVS, and PubMed (2020–2025) using MeSH/DeCS terms. Fifteen studies met the criteria. Findings clustered into four axes: caregiver education, symptom management and safety, care transitions (including medication reconciliation), and workforce training. Reported outcomes covered caregivers, patients, and services, with heterogeneous instruments. A minimal, feasible package—timely screening, individualized care plans, safety protocols, medication reconciliation, and structured caregiver education—emerges as a practical direction; further implementation studies and standardized outcomes are needed.