The recent reports of the alleged tasering of a 95-year-old woman living at the Yallambee Lodge aged care home in New South Wales has brought the issue of behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia into sharp focus.

More than half of those living in residential care have a dementia diagnosis, and up to 95% of those living with dementia will experience such behaviours at some point during their passage through the illness.

As is well-known, the behaviours that might be shown by those living with advanced dementia include agitation, anxiety, attempts to leave care, aggression, apathy, sleep disturbance, aimless pacing, psychosis and aggression.

The full circumstances surrounding last Wednesday’s events are unclear, and they are subject to an investigation by police. That may take some time.