TY - JOUR
T1 - Managing agitation and difficult behavior in dementia
AU - Gray, Kevin F.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
PY - 2004/2
Y1 - 2004/2
N2 - Managing agitation and difficult behavior in dementia can be the most challenging aspect of dementia care, as behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia cause premature institutionalization, increase costs of care, and result in significant loss of quality of life for the patient and the family caregivers. Nonpharmacologic interventions are important first-line steps in dealing with milder symptoms, whereas medication is clearly indicated in conjunction with nonpharmacologic interventions for more severe and problematic behaviors. Various classes of medication, including cholinesterase inhibitors, antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, and anxiolytics represent the reference drugs for treating agitation. Nonetheless, there is no currently available ideal pharmacotherapy.
AB - Managing agitation and difficult behavior in dementia can be the most challenging aspect of dementia care, as behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia cause premature institutionalization, increase costs of care, and result in significant loss of quality of life for the patient and the family caregivers. Nonpharmacologic interventions are important first-line steps in dealing with milder symptoms, whereas medication is clearly indicated in conjunction with nonpharmacologic interventions for more severe and problematic behaviors. Various classes of medication, including cholinesterase inhibitors, antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, and anxiolytics represent the reference drugs for treating agitation. Nonetheless, there is no currently available ideal pharmacotherapy.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.cger.2003.11.003
DO - 10.1016/j.cger.2003.11.003
M3 - Review article
C2 - 15062488
AN - SCOPUS:1242338017
SN - 0749-0690
VL - 20
SP - 69
EP - 82
JO - Clinics in Geriatric Medicine
JF - Clinics in Geriatric Medicine
IS - 1
ER -