Citation

Volicer L. Clin. Geriatr. Med. 2018; 34(4): 637-651.

Affiliation

University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA. Electronic address: lvolicer@usf.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.cger.2018.06.009

PMID

30336992

Abstract

Behavioral problems decrease quality of life of people with dementia and their care providers. Three main consequences of dementia are functional impairment and in some cases also mood disorders and psychosis. These consequences, alone or in combination, result in 3 main behavioral problems: apathy, agitation, and rejection of care/aggression. Nonpharmacologic management strategies include meaningful activities and individualized comfort care, for example, Namaste Care. If needed, pharmacologic management should concentrate on treatment of main dementia consequences, especially depression, instead of treating secondary symptoms, for example, insomnia. Use of antipsychotics should be minimized but antipsychotics may be necessary for augmentation of antidepressants.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Agitation; Apathy; Behavior; Dementia; Depression; Psychosis; Rejection of care