EPOCH Exchange Podcast - Episode 17 | Understanding the Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia

This podcast episode hosted by WestfordCAT on June 11, 2026, features Dr. Brent Forester, a psychiatrist and director of behavioral health, discussing the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. The conversation focuses on the importance of recognizing these symptoms for both individuals with dementia and their caregivers, emphasizing the need for comprehensive evaluation to identify underlying causes such as environmental triggers, medical issues, or psychiatric history. Dr. Forester highlights the challenges in dementia care, including the necessity of behavioral interventions alongside medication and the critical role of integrated care teams involving primary care, psychiatry, neurology, and social work. The discussion also touches on the need for improved financial and care models to support dementia care, advocating for a closed-loop system that connects primary and specialty care, similar to cancer care models. While the meeting did not address specific procurement or contracting actions, it outlined policy and care delivery considerations that could influence future healthcare service procurement and funding for dementia care programs.