Agitated dementia: drug vs nondrug treatment.
When an elderly patient with Alzheimer's disease or other form of dementia exhibits agitated behavior, the caregiver often wants the physician to "do something"--i.e., give a neuroleptic drug. Yet, an individualized, rational approach to identify and treat the cause of the agitation is more effective. We present an algorithm that emphasizes environmental and behavioral therapy.
Pozuelo
L
L
Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Cleveland Clinic, OH 44195, USA.
Franco
K
K
Palmer
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000628:therapy; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017028:Caregivers; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents