Assessment and management of behavioral disturbances in nursing home patients with dementia

Mayo Clin Proc. 2001 May;76(5):540-50. doi: 10.4065/76.5.540.

Abstract

Behavioral disturbances among nursing home patients with dementia are common and substantially affect patients and caregivers. Assessing the environmental, medical, and psychiatric causes of problematic behaviors and implementing a plan of behavioral, medical, and psychiatric management can reduce difficult target behaviors. This article presents a multifaceted approach to assessing patients with dementia who have behavioral problems, reviews medical and pharmacological management of these problems, and presents a multidisciplinary approach to developing treatment plans aimed at reducing such behaviors among nursing home patients with dementia.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Behavior Therapy*
  • Communication
  • Dementia / complications*
  • Dementia / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Nursing Homes*
  • Social Behavior Disorders*

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Antipsychotic Agents