American Geriatrics Society Guide to Managing Psychosis and Behavioral Aspects of Dementia Now Available
June 24th, 2011
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AGS Media Contact: |
New York, New York - The American Geriatrics Society’s newest clinical tool, the AGS Guide to the Management of Psychotic Disorders and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia in Older Adults, is now available on the AGS website. The guide gives healthcare professionals an overview of the risk factors, evaluation, and management of bipolar affective disorder, major depression, schizophrenia, and the behavioral aspects of dementia. It also summarizes the research on the increased incidence of mortality in the use of antipsychotic medications in the treatment of behavioral symptoms associated with dementia, with an extensive references section to aid clinicians in making treatment decisions.
A variety of medication tables address the treatment of schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like syndromes, depressive and manic-like features and behavioral disturbances in dementia, and the management of adverse events of antipsychotic medications. The guide also includes a flow chart to help clinicians evaluate a patient experiencing hallucinations and delusions. An outline of the guide’s major content includes:
- Management of Psychotic Disorders in Older Adults
- Differential Diagnosis
- Risk Factors for Psychotic Symptoms in Older Adults
- Treatment and Management of Schizophrenia and Schizophrenia-like Syndromes
- Psychotic Disorder Caused By A General Medical Condition
- Parkinson's Disease
- Lewy Body Dementia
- Substance-induced Psychotic Disorder
- Management of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia
- Common Neuropsychiatric Symptoms Associated With Dementia
- Psychotic Symptoms (delusions, hallucinations)
- Depressive Symptoms
- Apathy
- Manic-like Behavioral Syndromes
- Agitation or Aggression
- Common Neuropsychiatric Symptoms Associated With Dementia
The AGS has once again created a resource that is invaluable to clinicians who treat older adults,” said AGS President Barbara Resnick, PhD, CRNP. “The tables, figures, summary of studies, and references are a useful aid for providers and trainees alike, in any discipline that involves the care of older adults in a variety of healthcare settings.”
Information in the guide is derived from two AGS publications, the 2010 edition of The Geriatrics Review Syllabus and 2011 edition of Geriatrics At Your Fingertips. The guide was reviewed by AGS geriatricians, geropsychiatrists, and geriatrics pharmacists. A smartphone version, GeriPsych Consult, will be available soon.
About the American Geriatrics Society
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a not-for-profit organization of over 6,000 health professionals devoted to improving the health, independence and quality of life of all older people. The Society provides leadership to healthcare professionals, policy makers and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy.
Modified On: January 24th, 2012
