title: [The difficult years at home...].
abstract: Patients suffering from dementia are at risk of developing some behavior problems during the evolution of the disease. Therefore, it seems important to rule out, from the outset, all physical, psychiatric, metabolic or pharmacological causes in every cognitively impaired patient with disruptive behavior. Before using any medication to treat the patient, it is advisable to attempt a non pharmacological approach. This article offers some advice to the benefit of the caregivers faced with their close ones' behavioral problems. In spite of the best non pharmacological approach, medication can be necessary in order to control and monitor the disruptive behavior. It is imperative to have a thorough knowledge of the psychotropic medications, their impact and possible side effects.
authors.affiliation: Département de gériatrie du CHUQ-CHUL, service de gériatrie ambulatoire, Québec.
authors.forename: Francine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vézina
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Frenette
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lefebvre
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents