Rose Taylor

I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with more than a decade of experience caring for older adults, with a particular focus on dementia, cognitive impairment, and the psychiatric and behavioral symptoms that can accompany these conditions. I have been working with patients living with dementia since 2015 and have developed a deep understanding of the complex challenges faced by both patients and their families.

Caring for someone with dementia requires more than treating a diagnosis. Changes in mood, behavior, sleep, anxiety, agitation, irritability, or personality can be distressing for the patient and overwhelming for families and caregivers. My approach is to look beyond the behavior and consider the many factors that may be contributing to it, including the progression of cognitive impairment, medical conditions, medications, environmental changes, loss of independence, and emotional needs. My goal is to provide thoughtful, individualized psychiatric care that promotes dignity, safety, stability, and quality of life while helping families better understand and navigate the changes associated with dementia.

I believe psychiatric care for older adults should be individualized, thoughtful, and grounded in an understanding of the whole person. When behavioral or mood changes occur, I first consider what may be contributing to those changes rather than assuming that medication is always the answer. Medical conditions, medication side effects, sleep disruption, pain, environmental changes, communication difficulties, and the progression of dementia can all influence behavior and emotional functioning. When medication is appropriate, I take a conservative and individualized approach, considering the patient's age, medical conditions, current medications, cognitive status, living environment, and overall goals of care. I also place a strong emphasis on education. Families and caregivers often struggle to understand why a loved one has suddenly become agitated, suspicious, withdrawn, anxious, or emotionally dysregulated. Helping families understand these changes—and providing practical strategies for responding to them—is an important part of my work. My goal is not simply to reduce symptoms. It is to help patients maintain the greatest possible quality of life, preserve dignity and independence whenever possible, and help families feel supported and better equipped to care for their loved ones.

I work primarily with older adults experiencing dementia, cognitive impairment, and the psychiatric or behavioral symptoms that may accompany cognitive decline.

I commonly work with patients experiencing:

• Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia

• Mild cognitive impairment and cognitive decline

• Behavioral and psychological symptoms associated with dementia

• Agitation, irritability, or emotional dysregulation

• Depression and anxiety in older adults

• Sleep disturbances and changes in sleep-wake patterns

• Changes in personality or behavior associated with cognitive decline

• Adjustment difficulties related to aging, loss of independence, or changes in living environment

• Psychiatric medication management in older adults

I also work closely with family members and caregivers who may need guidance in understanding changes in their loved one's behavior, mood, or functioning.