Agitation in patients with dementia : a practical guide to diagnosis and management

Introduction to the clinical practice series. Introduction. Agitation in the elderly: Definitional and theoretical conceptualizations. Epidemiology of agitation. Neurochemistry of agitation. Use of behavioral assessment scales for evaluating agitation in dementia. Differential diagnosis of agitation in dementia: Psychiatric conditions: delirium, depression, psychosis, and anxiety. Clinical assessment and management of agitation in residential settings. Nursing care adaptations, behavioral interventions, environmental changes, and sensory enhancement: conceptual, process, and outcome issues. Psychotherapeutic interventions. Bright light therapy. Serotonergic agents. Mood stabilizers. Neuroleptics. Beta-Blockers, benzodiazepines, and other miscellaneous agents. Electroconvulsive therapy. Hormone Therapies. Legal and ethical issues. Index