The Caring for Aged Dementia Care Resident Study (CADRES) showed that both person-centred care and dementia-care mapping reduces agitation in people with dementia in residential care. Dementia care mapping is a widely practiced technique to improve the way dementia care is provided in care homes. The research, from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, studied 15 residential care sites involving 289 residents with dementia aged 60 years or over.

'This is an extremely important trial that might greatly affect clinical practice. One third of people with dementia live in a care home. We would like to see all care homes using person-centred care and dementia care mapping; both can be taught quickly, improve quality of life and are cost effective.

Alzheimer's Society research shows that more intensive person centred care can reduce use of dangerous antipsychotic drugs by up to 50%. More research is needed to develop approaches to care that are easy to implement, improve quality of life and reduce the use of antipsychotic drugs.'